Provided all parties can come to an agreement, RA can then officially take its top-to-bottom, club to Test rugby rights package to market later this week. However, O’Neill, who was boss of the ARU from 1995 to 2004 and then again from 2007 to 2012, has questioned how members of the RA board could possibly have a say or vote on broadcast matters when they are walking out the door on March 30 at the upcoming AGM. “They’re a lame duck board who should lay down tools for six weeks,” O’Neill, who is not interested in replacing Clyne, told the Herald. Clyne has announced he is stepping aside but will be involved, alongside chief executive Raelene Castle and her chief negotiator Shane Mattiske, in finalising a new five-year broadcast deal that runs until the end of 2025. Vice chairman Brett Robinson will stand down, there is speculation director Paul McLean is also moving on and others board members may not seek re-election.

'It wouldn’t be allowed to happen in corporate life. How can the incoming new board be left vulnerable to inheriting such a critical aspect of the game’s revenue?' John O'Neill RA is adamant a broadcast deal will be finalised before the AGM, however incumbent board members are set to vote on a long-term deal and dollar figure that RA is happy with. “They can keep working behind the scenes," O'Neill said. "Anyone who is not going to be there after the AGM should absent themselves from the negotiations. “Cameron Clyne is not standing for re-election, so he’s not going to be there. The negotiations can be put on ice for six to seven weeks and then the new governing body can do its own due diligence and can get on with it. “It wouldn’t be allowed to happen in corporate life. How can the incoming new board be left vulnerable to inheriting such a critical aspect of the game’s revenue?

Cameron Clyne has announced he will stand down as Rugby Australia chairman next month. Credit:Getty “It’s common in federal and state politics that once an election is called, the incumbent government goes into caretaker mode. During this caretaker period, the business of RA continues and ordinary matters of administration still need to be addressed.” RA did not want to comment when contacted by the Herald, however the governing body believe it is is necessary to have the process wrapped up as soon as possible to begin planning for 2021. All other SANZAAR member unions have finalised their broadcast deals. O’Neill was not at the helm when a broadcast deal was inked in 2005 but was involved in the 2010 negotiations which saw the Melbourne Rebels added as a fifth Australian side to Super Rugby and a conference model set up. Australia has since trimmed back to four Super Rugby teams. O'Neill also oversaw two A-League deals while at the FFA.

Fox Sports has broadcast Super Rugby since its inception in 1996 but have been unhappy about RA’s desire to take a product to market. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video RA will still include Foxtel in a list of parties that can bid on its five-year broadcast package when it take the rights to public tender this week. “I applaud RA for looking for competitive tension,” O'Neill said. “It’s like selling your house at auction – you need two bidders and you need competitive tension. I’m just not sure where the competitive tension will come from. Who are going to be the two bidders? “There are some trade-offs between exposure and money.”

O’Neill also called on RA to publicly outline how it viewed Super Rugby going forward and what it was going to take to market. Loading “The question that needs to be asked is what are they selling?” O’Neill said. “They’re making a big song and dance about selling club rugby but with the greatest respect, that won’t generate a lot of dollars. The mass entertainment component is Super Rugby and the Rugby Championship. “They haven’t even told the Australian rugby public what Super Rugby is going to look like. For the Waratahs, Brumbies, Reds and the Rebels, their lifeblood is the Super Rugby competition and the Rugby Championship and the inbound Tests.” RA says it will outline details in due course and that broadcasters will know exactly what they are buying.