RFU ‘at rock bottom’ after Twickileaks
EMBATTLED Rugby Football Union chief Rob Andrew has again steadfastly refused to consider tendering his resignation, despite admitting the sport has hit “rock bottom” as a result of the damaging Twickileaks scandal.
Three confidential reports into England’s dismal World Cup campaign were leaked into the public domain earlier this week which revealed the level of player unrest and the extent of the disharmony in the squad.
Manager Martin Johnson stepped down last week after three-and-a-half years in the job and Andrew conceded he should have given more support to the former World Cup winning captain when the wheels were coming off, both on and off the field, in New Zealand.
“I am absolutely shattered by what is going on both on and off the field,” said the RFU’s elite rugby director. “The RFU has to sort itself out. This is rock bottom, the lowest of the low, and it can’t be allowed to continue.
“This last 12 months has been the most extraordinary work environment anyone could be in. I have not done as good a job as I should have done. I should have supported Martin [Johnson, England coach] better.
“The reality of my job is that I’m not the England team manager. I’m the elite rugby director and I run a big department. But I accept responsibility for what is going on here.
“But no, I am not going to resign. If other people choose to make a decision that will be taken out of my hands.”
Andrew insists he has no idea who leaked the reports, which were based on anonymous interviews given by England’s World Cup players, in which they slated the likes of attack coach Brian Smith, who resigned yesterday, and questioned the training methods and lack of preparation ahead of crucial matches.
“I wish I knew who it was. We’ve got to find out because it’s just not right,” said Andrew.
“You have a responsibility when you have that information to use it properly. This has got to stop for the good of the game. It is not what rugby is about.”