Rugby Australia executive chair Paul McLean has opted against commenting on reports of board turbulence, reluctant to provide details on board operations unless it is for the "benefit of the game".
A statement on behalf of McLean came amid reports of a board meeting on Monday night, with News Corp media outlets writing that disagreements in the meeting had led to new board member Peter Wiggs contemplating his resignation.
No change to the board appeared imminent on Tuesday afternoon and McLean shed little light on the situation in a statement late in the day via a Rugby AU spokesperson.
“I've spoken to the chair," the spokesman said.
"He won’t be making any comment on the content of Board meetings unless its for the benefit of the game.”
Wiggs is one of three recent additions to the board, coming into the role after the annual general meeting on March 30 along with Virgin Blue co-founder Brett Godfrey and former Wallaby Dan Herbert.
Further change has already been flagged at a board level, with Brumbies chairman Matthew Nobbs last week confirming that News Corp executive Hamish McLennan would replace current chairman Paul McLean on the board.
McLean took over as chairman for the short-term after Cameron Clyne stood down earlier this year but had always planned to stand down himself by July 31 at the latest.
The executive chair also said after CEO Raelene Castle's resignation that two further board members would likely step down later in 2020, a move that would mean 75 per cent change at the board level in 12 months.
Wiggs had been widely expected to step up as board chairman after joining as a director and has played a key role in vital discussions amid the coronavirus pandemic, leading the latter stages of talks with the Rugby Union Players' Association about a player pay deal.
McLean is currently taking on the executive chair position in the wake of Castle's resignation nearly a fortnight ago but there has been no public indication on who will take over as interim CEO in her absence.
AOC chief executive and former rugby official Matt Carroll, also a long-time associate of Wiggs, has been linked to the role this week.
Chief commercial officer Cameron Murray and chief business officer Simon Rabbit are the two most senior figures at Rugby Australia head office outside of the board..
Rugby Australia is also yet to submit its audited results, despite having an April 30 deadline for the submission, as reported by RUGBY.com.au last month.
This article doesn't necessarily reflect the views of Rugby Australia or its state and member unions.
