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Ron Reed
June 29, 2007 12:00am
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...-11809,00.html
JOHN O'Neill, one of Australia's highest-profile sports administrators, started back in his old job of running rugby yesterday -- in Melbourne.
After three years driving the soccer revolution, O'Neill has returned to his first love in time for tomorrow night's Bledisloe Cup blockbuster against New Zealand at the MCG. More than 1300 fans welcomed him back at the VRU's Weary Dunlop Club lunch, where he said he had big plans for the game in Melbourne.
RR: First day back, we have the South African team issue, the Bledisloe Cup on, the World Cup around the corner and the Wallabies under some pressure -- the hot seat hasn't cooled at all.
JO: That's inevitable. These jobs aren't a walk in the park. I knew what to expect. Fortunately I'm fairly familiar with the issues so I've been able to hit the ground running.
When you left did you imagine you might be back?
I thought I might return in some capacity, but not as managing director. Non-executive chairman, perhaps. I'm surprised to be back in this precise role. My wife agreed reluctantly, so here I am.
Is the game a passion for you, or a well-paid and powerful job?
It's a passion. I've had a love affair with rugby since my father took me to my first Test at the SCG when I was five. We got beat by South Africa and I don't think I've missed a Test match since. I was a very ordinary player and an aspirational coach -- the game is in my veins. I have an enormous affection for it.
Satisfied with what you achieved in football, as you still refer to it?
It was an unbelievable three years. A bit of luck and a bit of good management. For the Socceroos to make the World Cup and round of 16 was extraordinary. We created the A-League and to move into Asia, they are three really big foundations the game can build on.
What did it teach you about sport in general?
When you're exposed to the world's largest sport, it's sort of breathtaking how big it is. It makes you ambitious for rugby because we're in kindergartenland compared with football. I've learnt a lot about how we might do things better. FIFA is a very sophisticated organisation and international rugby can learn a lot from them.
Rugby was riding high when you left. Now?
We had a remarkable run from the World Cup victory in 1999. The spectacle has lost a bit of its entertainment value and we've tended to just not win as much as we should. If we are going to address the winning factor and make the game more entertaining, we can bring people back very quickly.
Having helped soccer open up a gap in profile and popularity, have you become your own worst enemy?
There's a bit of that, but the powerbrokers in rugby at the time knowingly let me go when I wanted to stay for another four years. It's a bit like leaving Woolworths to run Coles. With football I did the best job I could and have a great fondness for the people there. The fact I have created football as a major competitor, that's life. You've just got to put up with that.
In Melbourne the code has developed a niche market, which you helped create. Where does that stand now?
The disappointment of not getting the Super 14 rugby franchise, well, life goes on. Rugby league dominates the Sydney market with eight teams; the AFL dominates Melbourne with nine. Yet Melbourne Victory have shown what can be done. Look at their success after two years. Melbourne Storm too. I do think if we get a (Super 14) team here, it will go gangbusters. Melburnians are very adaptable. They love high-quality contests. A Melbourne team in Super rugby, they will come.
Is that a priority?
Yes it is. Then you've got a real national presence. It would make a massive difference to the way we could promote the game.
What sort of time-frame?
We're 2 1/2 years from reviewing the broadcast contract. It would have to come in commensurate with the renewal of that, so we're talking around 2012. Maybe even earlier.
If you'd been in the job two years ago, would Melbourne have been a better chance to get the franchise that went to Perth?
There's no mileage in me going down that path. Decisions were taken by the ARU based on the best evidence and information.
Melbourne now has the Rebels ready to play in the new Australian Rugby Championship. When the AFL sent South Melbourne to Sydney, it had to nearly die three or four times before it got the support to survive and thrive. That won't happen with this, will it?
With all start-ups, you have to be realistic. You take two steps forward, one step back. You have to be patient, be here for the long haul and be enduring.
Should George Gregan be captain at the World Cup?
That's up to coach John Connolly to decide, and the selectors. I'm more interested in the leadership group as a whole and George is an integral part of that. He's been there and done it for so long. There's Stirling Mortlock, Phil Waugh, Stephen Larkham, Nathan Sharpe, Dan Vickerman and George Smith -- that's a very impressive group of leaders. Any of them could have captain after their name.
Where does George sit among Australian sportsman of his era?
It's hard to imagine a more enduring sportsman. To play such a physical game from 1994 to 2007, as such a little bloke, he's the consummate professional. Kids embarking on a professional rugby career should look at the work he has done.
Do you expect to win the World Cup?
I expect us to be competitive.
Of course, but is there a minimum result?
The reality is a game at a time. Making the semis would be a very good outcome and then who knows? For a country like us, out of five finals we've been in three and won two, the semis is an appropriate ambition.
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