UPDATE: Incoming Rugby Australia director Hamish McLennan says his top priority is to reunite a "divided rugby community" as he prepares to officially join the board next month.
Rugby Australia confirmed on Friday afternoon that McLennan would join the board as director and chair-elect at its next meeting on June 15, filling the gap left by recently resigned Peter Wiggs.
McLennan will take over as chairman from Paul McLean, who had set a July 31 deadline for his departure from the board after taking the top job earlier this year in the wake of Cameron Clyne's resignation.
Wiggs had been tipped to take over as chairman but ultimately resigned after 37 days on the board after reportedly dividing the administration with his desire to appoint a CEO without undergoing due process.
While he doesn't officially begin until next month, McLennan said he would spend that time "listening" and trying to get a "line of sight" on some of the game's biggest issues from the broadcast deal to the disconnect in much of the rugby community.
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"There's no doubt our fans have become frustrated with the performance of the Wallabies and there’s been a lot of leaks around the game at a board level, which disappoints a lot of people," he said.
"We need to get in alignment and with Dave Rennie coming in as the new (Wallabies) coach it's a great opportunity to reset with some higher expectations and get the culture right and then hopefully we'll get back to winning.
"I think we’re a very divided rugby community but getting that alignment is one of my top priorities and I'll work hard to achieve that."
Former Ten chief executive McLennan had been earmarked as a future addition to the board after being interviewed earlier this year in the process that saw Wiggs, Daniel Herbert and Brett Godfrey join the board.
With Wiggs stepping down, McLennan's addition was effectively fast-tracked and he will join the administration in one of its most turbulent times.
Despite the challenges that the sport is facing on a number of fronts, he said he wanted to be able to play a big part in helping it turn a corner.
"I love the game and I believe it deserves to do better and I felt there was no point snarking on the sidelines, when I was invited to be interviewed to join the board.
"At the end of the day it’s more fun to be the middle of the scrum than watching from the sidelines."
McLennan is a former Channel Ten chief executive played a key role in negotiating a deal for the BIg Bash League on Channel Ten and also spent two years as an executive at News Corp.
He is currently chair of the REA group, deputy chair of investment group Magellan and chairman of Here There & Everywhere, the parent company of the Australian Radio Network.
During his time at Ten, the Big Bash League became one of the most-watched sporting competitions in Australia and McLennan said rule changes and other initiatives could help Super Rugby become more TV friendly.
"From a broadcast perspective that was a very short, sharp season, very family orientated, it was in prime time, there was consistency of viewing and it nothing like the Tests," he said.
"Most doubters I spoke to or traditionalists recognised after the first season quite compelling viewing. Rugby can be a great television sport so we just need to think along those lines about good audience engagement.
"I think the most tangible opportunity is to look at Super Rugby and the domestic competition and see how we can create a differentiated product for broadcasters. I'd look at rule changes, scrum clocks and there's lots of ideas floating around.
"That will give us a bit of an opportunity to reconnect with broadcast partners and also audience."
As for the nitty gritty of the upcoming broadcast negotiations, McLennan said he would be leaving the heavy lifting to interim CEO Rob Clarke for now.
"It’s just too early to tell (how the relationship with broadcasters is)," he said.
"Rob’s taking the lead on that."
A group of 10 former Wallabies captains have been among the loudest agitators for change in recent weeks, meeting with Wiggs before his resignation.
Clarke is reportedly set to meet with representatives of that group next week and McLennan said he would be more than willing to speak with them as well.
A group of 10 former Wallabies captains have been among those agitating for change in the administration and who had been dealing closely with Wiggs before his resignation.
"Of course, they represented our country, made us proud, they’re passionate about the game," he said.
"We have lots of stakeholders that I have to listen to abut they are very important."
In a statement, McLean said McLennan would be a valuable addition to the board.“Hamish’s appointment marks a new era as we reset Rugby Australia and our game with a focus on the future,” he said.
“He brings exceptional commercial skills and experience in leading some of the largest and most successful businesses in the country.
“Hamish is also a lifelong rugby man and is passionate about uniting the game and bringing all of its diverse and enthusiastic stakeholders together to drive the game forward.
“His immediate focus with the Board is on ensuring the game navigates the next few months while reshaping the Rugby economy for a sustainable future to ensure the game remains healthy and strong at the community level,” he said.
