The Suaalii split behind rugby boss’ messy exit

Joseph Suaalii’s massive deal to switch codes was reportedly a factor in the departure of Andy Marinos as Rugby Australia’s chief executive this week.

RA is on the hunt for a new boss following Monday’s surprise resignation of Andy Marinos, just four months out from the start of the men’s Rugby World Cup in France.

Hamish McLennan was the driving force behind the Suaalii signing and it was notable that the RA chairman, but not Marinos, was quoted in the March press release trumpeting his arrival on a three year contract worth close to $5 million.

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The Sydney Morning Herald reported that “informed sources said Marinos did not agree with RA’s aggressive pursuit of Suaalii, led by McLennan, and the massive amount of money that was ultimately outlaid to get the youngster’s signature.”

The masthead’s sources added that Marinos “did not share McLennan’s enthusiasm for chasing league players and argued the record Suaalii salary would inflate the market and subsequently force Rugby Australia to pay more to its other top-tier players.”

Former Wallabies backrower Stephen Hoiles told Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts that the Suaalii splurge was a smart investment.

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“He’ll fill out every stadium six months before the British and Irish Lions come here (in 2025). People will be buying gold scarves like they used to 20 years ago at big Test matches. I think it’s money well spent,” Hoiles said.

Former Wallabies star Phil Waugh – who is on the RA board and is tight with McLennan – is the early frontrunner to replace Marinos.

Hoiles said the next boss would need to be strong to work with McLennan and Eddie Jones while ex-Wallabies back Morgan Turinui told Between Two Posts that the looming private equity deal was an intriguing subplot to the situation.

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“I actually think that Andy was a quite a good foil for Hamish,” Turinui said.

“As you mentioned Hamish has that role out there and Andy seemed to be the relationship guy in the background.

“Now what Hamish wants to do hands-on wise, I think will predicate what you want from a CEO. Is it genuinely like a COO, operational, hands-on, running the exco in at RA and you let Hamish blaze away as he does?

“It’ll be interesting to see who the candidates are. Rugby Australia don’t have a classic COO that you would think about bringing up.”

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