New Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh promises to stand up to Wallabies coach Eddie Jones

When Phil Waugh became the first ex-Wallaby to become Rugby Australia’s CEO, he vowed his close relationships with chairman Hamish McLennan and coach Eddie Jones wouldn’t stop him from challenging the pair over vital issues.

The 43-year-old was officially announced as the replacement for Andy Marinos on Tuesday, at the venue where he wowed fans with his toughness and football intelligence for a decade, the Sydney Football Stadium.

After 79 Tests for the Wallabies, one of Australia’s best-ever flankers will now look to revive the game’s declining popularity and fan engagement, as well as its declining level of performance on the pitch – especially in regards to Super Rugby.

But he will face hurdles contending with the huge politics at play at Rugby Australia, especially when it comes to the increasingly outspoken McLennan.

Given that Waugh has a close relationship with the mighty chairman thanks to his time as a non-executive director on the board, and Jones handed him his Wallabies debut during his first stint as coach in 2000, many would wonder if he would can endure. down to the two heavyweights.

Waugh put those concerns aside, insisting he would make the hard decisions if necessary, but also spoke of the importance of a united front after a decade of turmoil on and off the field.

“I will certainly challenge aspects that I may not agree with… you will always have a battle,” he said at his official unveiling in Sydney on Tuesday afternoon.

‘It’s a bit like playing, or selection room. You’re going to have disagreements… but when we go to market, we have to make sure we’re there for people as a united government, with the executive.’

McLennan, who has recently waged a very public battle against the NRL in its dogged pursuit of persuading league players to switch codes, as Joseph Suaalii will soon do, supported that claim.

He claims there will be a robust working relationship that is not all one-way, with the chairman always getting his way.

“Looking at my interactions with Phil, we’ve had our healthy debates and disagreements on a range of issues, but we’ve always ended up in a better place,” McLennan told reporters at Waugh’s unveiling.

“I think the board recognizes that too and they have taken a lot of comfort from his insights about the game and how we can make it tougher.”

Waugh, a married father of four, will also have to embark on a similar relationship with his first Wallabies coach, who is as outspoken as McLennan.

Jones is known as a coach with a relentless drive for perfection and high standards on and off the pitch, and Waugh said this would help take rugby Down Under to greater heights.

“It was always very robust with Eddie,” he said.

“I think we still have that strong relationship where we want the best and highest performance from the Wallabies, and we will work together to achieve that.”

If anyone can turn the fate of rugby in Australia it’s Waugh.

The 180cm, 100kg flanker played with tremendous heart and toughness throughout his outstanding career, which spanned 136 appearances for the Waratahs.

Thanks to brilliant footy intelligence on the slump, robust defense and a surprisingly strong running game for an open side, Waugh was the soul of every side he played for.

The 2003 John Eales medalist for the Wallabies’ best player even took part in the Sydney to Hobart before forging a hugely successful career in banking after completing two Masters during his playing days.

And he will take on his new challenge – his first CEO appointment – with the same enthusiasm he had with Gilbert Ball in hand.

‘I find it quite exciting, I like ambition, I like leaning in and taking a chance. I certainly played my rugby that way, I intend to run rugby the same way,” Waugh said on Tuesday.

He had been the raging favorite to replace Marinos after his shock dismissal in March, and McLennan insisted after an outside search that Waugh was “hands down” the best person for the job.

One of his first tasks will be to reconnect Rugby Australia with fans and grassroots rugby, after a decade of disconnection and accusations that he only prioritized the game’s relationship with the private school system.

Super Rugby standards are dropping on the pitch and fans have turned away in droves, although the Sydney Shute Shield’s popularity has been revived after a period of neglect by the highest buyers.

Waugh said it was crucial to rectify that.

“Over time, people make choices whether they go to club games or Super Rugby games,” he said.

“When I was playing you went to your club match and went to support your club players at the Super Rugby match.

“It’s very important that we go back to that and put our best Super Rugby players in clubs and then bring club supporters to Super Rugby and Test matches.

“I do think there has been a huge divide over time. The game starts and ends at our clubs.’

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