Rugby Australia board elects former Wallaby as new Chairman

Rugby Australia has announced the appointment of former Wallaby Daniel Herbert as its new Chair, replacing Hamish McLennan.

Herbert was voted into the role at an extraordinary board meeting yesterday evening following McLennan being ousted as a result of six union members calling for his resignation.

Herbert takes over the role immediately, having been on the board of Rugby Australia since 2020.

Announcing the appointment, a statement from Rugby Australia advised “the board considered that Herbert’s experience is ideally suited to leading the development of the game from the grassroots to the elite level, across women’s and men’s Rugby.

"In addition, he is well placed to lead the board’s continued and unwavering commitment to Rugby Australia’s strategy of aligning the game across the country."

Herbert played 67 Tests for Australia, and was a part of the Wallabies teams that won the 1999 Rugby World Cup, 2001 British and Irish Lions Series, The Rugby Championship and five straight Bledisloe Cups.

He has also subsequently held roles with the Queensland Rugby Union.

Calling for unity within the game, Herbert stated “it has never been more important for the Rugby Australia board, working with member unions, to come together and execute the reform we absolutely need for an aligned high-performance system and to deliver on the commitments we have made, including to invest in community and women's rugby.

"Australia will host the British and Irish Lions Tour in 2025, the men's 2027 Rugby World Cup and the women's 2029 Rugby World Cup and the 2032 Olympic Games.

"The reform we progress now will underpin the competitiveness of our national teams, as well as building deeper engagement with the rugby community and fans everywhere.

"We note that the different member unions are not opposing Rugby Australia's centralisation proposals and remain committed to supporting high performance alignment."

Rugby Australia went on to acknowledge McLennan’s contributions, adding “the board acknowledges the strategic agenda that Hamish has been instrumental in driving, through COVID and other challenges, ensuring that Rugby in Australia continued through very challenging times.

"He departs the role of Chair having been a central figure in Australia securing the hosting rights to major rugby events that will inspire generations of players and supporters, as well as delivering the current broadcast rights deal and helping to turn around the governing body’s financial position."

McLennan, whose time in charge was marked by Australia’s worst ever Rugby World Cup performance, has opted to quit the board entirely rather than remain as a Director.