O'Neill to remain at the ARU

Australian Rugby Union (ARU) Managing Director and Chief Executive John O'Neill has accepted a contract extension offered by the ARU Board to continue in the role until the end of 2013.

ARU Chairman Peter McGrath made the announcement following a Board meeting in Sydney last Friday, stating "John is a great sports administrator, with a proven track record, it's as simple as that in terms of asking him to stay beyond his existing agreement which ran through to the middle of next year.

"He's the best man for the job as ARU looks to take advantage of some wonderful opportunities, including the British and Irish Lions tour here in two years time.

"In 2008 the Board signed off on a raft of strategic imperatives for the game in Australia to ensure the long-term prosperity of Rugby, and John continues to implement these imperatives.

"They included the dramatic transformation of Super Rugby and we have seen that come to life on Friday with a fifth Australian team â the Melbourne Rebels â launching an exciting and ground-breaking new format for the competition.

"We're delighted as a Board to have John accept new terms."

2011 will be a busy year for Australian rugby with the new-look Super Rugby competition rolling into an international campaign for the Wallabies and a Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in September-October.

O'Neill said he was enthusiastic and optimistic about the future, stating "there was an element of unfinished business to consider in making my decision.

"We have mapped out the pathway, the strategic vision is there, we are making progress and I would like to continue delivering on our plans to reinvigorate Australian Rugby.

"There have been a number of challenges to confront since I returned in mid 2007.

"However, I'm convinced we're on the right track, and I'm confident about the future on and off the field over the next period of time when continuity, leadership and stability will be enormously important.

"There is a lot to look forward to in coming years, including a return to traditional inbound tours with midweek matches from next year, the Lions visit in 2013, and the continuing emergence of Sevens Rugby now that it has reclaimed its place in the Olympic family from 2016."

O'Neill initially joined ARU in October 1995 after eight years in charge of the State Bank of NSW.

During his first tenure as ARU boss he presided over the game's dramatic move from the amateur to professional eras, Australia's sole hosting of the 2003 Rugby World Cup, and the hugely successful tour by the British and Irish Lions in 2001.

His eight years at the helm also coincided with the Wallabies winning the 1999 Rugby World Cup, five successive Bledisloe Cup campaigns from 1998-2002 and two Tri Nations titles in 2000-2001.

O'Neill left Rugby in early 2004 and joined Football Federation Australia in March the same year.

In 2007 he was invited to return to Australian Rugby Union by the ARU Board and accepted a five-year contract.

O'Neill was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2004 for services to Rugby as an administrator, to the financial services sector, and to the community through educational and charitable organisations.

In 2005 he was also awarded the highest French decoration of Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur in recognition of his assistance in the preparation and organisation of sporting events in Australia and France, and for his contribution to the development of bilateral relations in sport between the two countries.

27th June 2008 - NSW TOURISM MUST TRANSFORM