Raelene Castle resigns from chief executive role of Rugby Australia

Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle has announced her resignation from the role with immediate effect.

The decision follows after the Australian board reported loss for the second consecutive year and the ongoing pandemic coronavirus crisis had worsened the situation with the Super Rugby and other domestic competitions suspended while Wallabies' July tour also in doubt.

In a statement to ABC’s 7:30, Castle confirmed the news of her resignation and reckons the lack of confidence on her contributed to the decision.

"I love rugby on every level and I will always love the code and the people I have had the honour of working with since I took this role.

"I made it clear to the board that I would stand up and take the flak and do everything possible to serve everyone's best interests.

"In the last couple of hours, it has been made clear to me that the board believes my no longer being the CEO would help give them the clear air they believe they need.

"The game is bigger than any one individual — so this evening I told the chair [Paul McLean] that I would resign from the role.

"I will do whatever is needed to ensure an orderly handover. I wish the code and everyone who loves rugby nothing but the best and I would like to thank the people I work with and the broader rugby community for their enormous support."

Rugby Australia had to deal with a lot of issues in the last year from a long-standing row with Israel Folau following his regional comment on his social media account followed by sacking of Michael Cheika after a poor performance in World Cup while the board struggled to reach a conclusion with the players' association on the salary cut before arriving at a decision last week.

The controversies even led former Wallabies captains send a letter to the board requesting for a change in administration.

"Do I think the sports lost its way? No, I don't," she said.

"I am very keen to have a chat to [the former Wallaby captains].

"The board and I have invited them to come and have a chat to us, hopefully so that we can explain some of the work that's been done to try and reshape the sport over the last wee while, and also take on board the positive ideas that they've got to give to us."