Cosgrove decides to stand down

[travelling_gerry]

Cosgrove decides to stand down

• Wayne Smith
• From: The Australian
• March 23, 2010 12:00AM

GENERAL Peter Cosgrove, the former chief of the defence force, will make a tactical withdrawal from Australian rugby next month, standing down as an ARU board member, and dashing the hopes of those who saw him as a future ARU chairman.

Though a New South Welshman, Cosgrove came on to the ARU board three years ago as a Queensland nominee -- along with former Test second-rower Rod McCall -- to fill the vacancies created when prominent Gold Coast businessman Terry Jackman was removed as a director following a no-confidence vote against him, and the unrelated resignation of David Usasz.
Australian rugby in April 2007 was effectively a war zone, with the board bitterly divided over whether or not to recall John O'Neill as chief executive, the position he had held in 2004.
There was even talk at the time that Cosgrove might immediately be voted in as a compromise chairman, to avoid a polarising battle for the position between strong O'Neill supporter Arvid Petersen, of NSW, and the ACT's Peter McGrath, who had made it known he was adamantly opposed to bringing O'Neill back.


As it happened, McGrath won the ballot but soon after came to terms with O'Neill, and the peacekeeping role Queensland had envisaged for Cosgrove didn't materialise.
Still, as one of the most respected figures in the country, he was widely seen as McGrath's successor.
But Cosgrove believes the time has come for him to withdraw.
"It's been great and I'm leaving with a huge affection for all things rugby but in view of the fact the ARU is helping out the QRU, I believe it is appropriate now for a resident Queenslander, someone who lives and breathes Queensland rugby, to take up my position," Cosgrove said.
"I can understand that there is a bit if dismay that a proud rugby state like Queensland has had to turn to the ARU for help.
"But unless there is a secret philanthropist out there with a huge bank account who is prepared to help out, there is no other real alternative."
Cosgrove's resignation will take effect on the eve of the ARU's annual general meeting on April 15.
The QRU will hold its own AGM the following day, with moves afoot to strip the state board of the power to decide Queensland's nominees to the ARU and instead invest it in the QRU council.


http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225844016832

[Burgs]

In short he is sick of their petty bullshit and has better things to be doing with his time, a fair call.

[Thequeerone]

A man of honour no wonder he didn't stay