Raelene Castle was a victim of bullying by "faceless people" - Rugby Australia chairman Paul McLean

Rugby Australia chairman Paul McLean reckons Raelene Castle's resignation from chief executive role was a result of bullying by "faceless people".

Castle, who held three years at the role was forced to resign this week after the board faced financial crisis that was accelerated by the pandemic coronavirus.

"It's the silent forces, the dark forces that upset me most," he said. "It's the people who didn't ask, didn't know the facts or just one of those faceless people out there.

"That was the damaging thing from her perspective and she shared some of that with me, which I found quite abhorrent.

"[If it wasn't for the] unwarranted criticism and, in fact, bullying, I think it might have been a different scenario."

Castle had a tough time as the boss of the Australian board that reported loss for successive years. She had to deal with a long-standing row with Israel Folau following his comments on religion and the fact that Australia did not have a successful World Cup under Michael Cheika last year contributed to the pressure.

"One of my greatest concerns with her was her welfare and how she was on a daily basis," added McLean.

"A lesser person would have thrown the towel in ages ago.

"So the discussion that we had to have as a board was, what is the succession plan if Raelene walked in, rang me one day and said 'Paul I'm gone, I can't do this anymore'?

"We had some broader discussions about that over the last six months and I suppose it crystallised with some new eyes around the board table.

"And it probably crystallised with the circumstances that were all facing with the general economy and how we're living our life at the moment."