The "merry-go-round of rugby officials" continued on Wednesday with Queensland Rugby Union powerbroker Jim Carmichael announcing he will step down at the end of the year while at the Waratahs New Zealander Andrew Hore was named as new CEO, according to Wayne Smith of THE AUSTRALIAN. Hore "spent the past four years as CEO of Welsh club the Ospreys, and before that occupied the role of high-performance manager for the New Zealand Rugby Union."
He "will take over the role in April from Greg Harris who in his brief but eventful time at the NSWRU oversaw the appointment of Daryl Gibson as head coach and also led the successful negotiations with the SCG Trust that ensured the Waratahs will have Allianz Stadium as home for the next 16 years."
But it "is at Ballymore that the most dramatic changes have taken place." Rod McCall "stood down as QRU chairman on February 23, citing health problems." On Monday, "the Reds finally bit the bullet too with the rugby department, sacking Richard Graham as head coach." The "complicated process arose" after Carmichael announced he would not be seeking an extension. There were, "inevitably," rumors that new Chair Damien Frawley had forced him out, but Carmichael pointed out that he had informed the QRU board of his decision "some weeks ago" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 3/10).
