Hamish McLennan \ufeffwas the driving force behind the Suaalii signing and it was notable that the RA chairman, but not Marinos,<\/a> was quoted in the March press release trumpeting his arrival on a three year contract worth close to $5 million.<\/p>\n Watch the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific and Super W seasons on the home of rugby, Stan Sport.<\/strong><\/em> All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n The Sydney Morning Herald reported that<\/a> "informed sources said Marinos did not agree with RA's aggressive pursuit of Suaalii, led by McLennan, and the massive amount of money that was ultimately outlaid to get the youngster's signature.\ufeff"<\/p>\n The masthead's sources added that Marinos "did not share McLennan's enthusiasm for chasing league players and argued the record Suaalii salary would inflate the market and subsequently force Rugby Australia to pay more to its other top-tier players."<\/p>\n Former Wallabies backrower Stephen Hoiles told Stan Sport's Between Two Posts<\/em> that the Suaalii splurge was a smart investment.\ufeff<\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> 'Rigged deal' blasted as rankings farce turns ugly<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> 'Top level talks' over $800k enigma's club switch<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Bizarre reason Messi has been banned without pay<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n "\ufeffHe'll fill out every stadium six months before the British and Irish Lions come here (in 2025). People will be buying gold scarves like they used to 20 years ago at big Test matches. I think it's money well spent," Hoiles said.<\/p>\n Former Wallabies star Phil \ufeffWaugh – who is on the RA board and is tight with McLennan – is the early frontrunner to replace Marinos.<\/p>\n Hoiles said the next boss would need to be strong to work with McLennan and Eddie Jones while ex-Wallabies back Morgan Turinui told Between Two Posts\ufeff<\/em> that the looming private equity deal was an intriguing subplot to the situation.<\/a><\/p>\n NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney, Stephen Hoiles and Morgan Turinui unpack Rugby Australia boss Andy Marinos' shock resignation and the winners and losers from Super Rugby Pacific and Super W<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n https:\/\/omny.fm\/shows\/between-two-posts-1\/casino-swims-wallabies-stepping-up\/embed?style=Cover<\/a><\/p>\n "I actually think that Andy was a quite a good foil for Hamish," Turinui said.<\/p>\n "As you mentioned Hamish has that role out there and Andy seemed to be the relationship guy in the background.<\/p>\n "Now what Hamish wants to do hands-on wise, I think will predicate what you want from a CEO. Is it genuinely like a COO, operational, hands-on, running the exco in at RA and you let Hamish blaze away as he does?<\/p>\n "It'll be interesting to see who the candidates are. Rugby Australia don't have a classic COO that you would think about bringing up."<\/p>\n For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n
![\"Joseph](\"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/4c8f438c-af96-46bb-ba12-b3285504f1e6-scaled.jpg\")
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