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http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...-time-in-2013/
Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill has revealed he'll stand down from his post at the end of his contract in two years.
In the wake of the Wallabies' semi-final elimination at the World Cup, O'Neill said on Tuesday he would not continue on beyond the end of 2013 - six months after the British and Irish Lions tour Australia.
It will be the second time the ARU's CEO and managing director will move on from the role after leaving rugby in 2004 and then guiding the operations of Football Federation Australia.
O'Neill and the ARU board had controversially recontracted Wallabies coach Robbie Deans for a further two years before the quadrennial tournament so the New Zealander could take his young side through to the Lions tour.
With calls coming for successful Queensland Reds coach Ewen McKenzie to take the reins, and Deans indicating he wants to remain at the helm, O'Neill absolved himself from the decision-making process.
He said there was a succession plan in place but it was for his own successor, likely to be anointed earlier in 2013, to choose to activate.
"That won't be my call," O'Neill said in Auckland. "My contract is up at the end of 2013 and it will not be a decision that will involve me.
"If I'd left as originally intended, 30 June next year, I would not have involved myself in Robbie's extension - that was in agreement with the board.
"The board that is in situ for 2013 will be making those calls and I'll be preparing to ride off, probably much to the relief of some people, into the sunset and it would be inappropriate for me to be involved in that."
O'Neill was proud of the effort of the Wallabies in their World Cup campaign despite a 20-6 semi-final thumping by the All Blacks and disappointing pool loss to Ireland.
He said the heroic 11-9 quarter-final victory over South Africa captured the nation's attention and provided a 3.3 million viewing audience for the semi-final - the biggest since the 2003 tournament final loss to England in Sydney.
"It's not a successful campaign but the board from the outset said the pass mark was making the semis, so we've got a pass mark," he said.
don't let the door hit your arse on the way out
Chuck Norris has the greatest Poker-Face of all time. He won the 1983 World Series of Poker, despite holding only a Joker, a Get out of Jail Free Monopoly card, a 2 of clubs, 7 of spades and a green #4 card from the game Uno.
I personally think he has done pretty good job (with the except of of a second tier competition), we could have been in worse hands that's for sure, let's see how it finishes with The Lions in 2013![]()
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
I wonder whether "pass mark" is code for "we met our KPIs and will therefore award ourselves big bonuses all round"?
he better not get a bonus for the crap he and dingo have preformed the best bonus he could get would be shoved out the door and organise the APC again and quick or there will be lions feeding on wallabies in 2 yrs time...
No Bonuses for 3rd Oneil you pig
thats fair notice... JON had a shot and he has done some good work but no RWC championship..
O"Neill and Deans, i was happy with, for a long time. O"Neill has done good things for rugby while still stuffing up. Deans i"m really disappointed with. I like his use of many fringeplayers, gameplan , demeanour yada yada. He plays blokes who should not be in the 22, does not use the bench...he is not
proactive. Watching the semi after Cooper kicked out on the full.I said to Nelli, we are in deepshit!
Why Barnes wasnt used pronto, and the week before.? No Sharpie, another back up loosie on tour?
McCabe, Bloody Faaainnga blokes,Simmons, Vickerman,Alexander,Rabbit/ACC not in the game.
Jesus im shat off with everything. Thats all.
the punters friend..... stick with me and you will be wearing
Do us a favour and strike a deal to end it now.
Only his own ego stroke means he will "honour his contract" to be there for the Lions Tour.
JO'N Mk I- Handy operator.
JO'N Mk II- Wanker.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
I don't know enough detail about what JON has done to comment whether he's been OK or a dud, really. I'd just say that keeping the books in the black can't be all that bad. Desirable as it would have been, the NPC was not financially viable at that time and in that format.
Is Robbie Deans Rugby's equivalent of Brian Smith? Great at identifying and developing talent but not so much at constructing a flexible game plan needed to win the big international matches. Maybe his biggest problem is an unshakable belief in the players he's picked. Either that or he is unable see his plan is not working, accept that, make adjustments and move on.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Chuck Norris has the greatest Poker-Face of all time. He won the 1983 World Series of Poker, despite holding only a Joker, a Get out of Jail Free Monopoly card, a 2 of clubs, 7 of spades and a green #4 card from the game Uno.