Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh is optimistic the proposed centralised model can maximise the performance of Australian teams across all levels of the game.
RA announced the structural change on Wednesday morning, designed to align the Super Rugby clubs, Member Unions and the national programs.
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It follows a similar system to Ireland, which has powered them to number one in the world, although Waugh concedes there will be differing levels of integration club-by-club when it comes into effect from 2025.
“I think that we look at how we've been performing across the Australian system through the men and the women and I think that there's enormous benefit we can get if we look to work closer together across our provincial clubs for the benefit of the Wallaroos and Wallabies," Waugh told reporters
“We’ve been working really closely with the Super Rugby clubs Chairs and CEOs and they are very supportive of the concept….We need to build a lot of trust with our Super Rugby clubs so it’ll be a collaborative approach to land the right structure to get the best performance on and off the field.
“There’s a large amount of agreement and work down in the top tier players, developing players and high performance. Right now, you’ll have players contracted for six months with the member unions and six months with RA so there’s clearly a disconnect in terms of that continuity within that construct.
“It won’t be all players but depending on how things evolve on the contracting system, it may evolve in some clubs to be all players and other clubs not."
Waugh confirmed they are looking for a new Director of Rugby, who will guide the process of centralisation.
This position has been vacant since 2021, last filled by Scott Johnson.
“We’re in the market at the moment," Waugh said.
“We’re going through the interview process of that at the moment. Essentially all high performance will go through that structure and then dependent on the level of integration with the Super club will then depend on what resources we need to hold centrally.”
Former Brumbies coach David Nucifora has filled a similar role in Ireland's revival, although Waugh admits he has not been sounded out yet for the position.
“We’ve spoken to him because he’s a friend of Australian Rugby and happy to help us but he’s not in the mix," he added.
