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Rugby Australia chief apologises for poorly behaved Wallabies
It seems that the fallout from the Wallabies’ ill-fated run at the 2019 World Cup is set to continue, with Rugby Australia doing their best to alleviate concerns that the team is difficult to deal with.
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RA chief Raelene Castle felt compelled to write a letter of apology over the behaviour of the Wallabies squad at the World Cup, according to media reports.
Tournament organisers were said to have been unhappy with a number of the Australian contingent in Japan, including former coach Michael Cheika, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
The paper quotes an unnamed source, who reportedly saw Castle’s letter, in which she bids to made amends for Cheika’s criticism of World Rugby and referees, and presenting a general “us against them” attitude during the tournament.
In particular, Cheika criticised the decision to slap Wallabies winger Reece Hodge with a three-week suspension for a dangerous tackle on Fiji’s Peceli Yato, which left World Rugby bosses unimpressed.
Cheika revealed after the tournament that he would not seek an extension to the five-year spell he served after the Wallabies were beaten 40-16 by England in the quarter-finals.
The Herald report also said World Rugby had opted not to comment when contacted for a reaction.
A new era is set to begin for the Wallabies in 2020 with Dave Rennie already confirmed as the impending head coach of the flailing team.
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Cheika’s next appointment is still up in the air but being known as one of the biggest complainers in world rugby is not an ideal attribute for a CV.
Castle’s letter of apology will no doubt further freeze the already frosty relationship between the CEO and her former employee.
– with AAP
Rugby Australia could be in for a world of hurt with primary broadcaster Fox purportedly pulling out of negotiations to televise the sport:
