Rugby Australia

'Wildly inaccurate' - Raelene Castle denies report Israel Folau receiving $8 million payout from Rugby Australia

The Daily Telegraph reported Rugby Australia and Folau settled the former Wallaby's wrongful termination claim for the large sum after the fullback initially sought $14 million in compensation.

However, Castle has come forward on social media to deny the report.

"Folau settlement numbers are confidential but numbers being speculated are wildly inaccurate," Castle said in the short statement.

Folau sought compensation from Rugby Australia after he believed he had his contract torn up wrongfully for a code of conduct breach on social media.

Negotiations continue as Israel Folau seeks $14 million compensation package from Rugby Australia

The sacked Wallaby and his netballer wife Maria Folau went to the Federal Court in Melbourne on Monday for a mediation meeting over his $14 million compensation claim against Rugby Australia.

Folau claims he was wrongfully dismissed by Rugby Australia and Rugby NSW after a controversial Instagram post in April condemning "drunks" and "homosexuals" and warning "hell awaits" them.

His lawyer George Haro told reporters in Melbourne late on Monday evening they weren't able to reach an "amicable solution just yet.

Dave Rennie burning midnight oil to build Wallabies vision

Currently the boss of Scottish club Glasgow Warriors, Rennie has agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal as Australia's new head coach and will join the Wallabies at the end of the current UK season.

"I've got a bit of work to do from an Australian perspective," said Rennie, who was appointed in the wake of Michael Chieka's departure following the Wallabies' World Cup quarter-final exit.

"We're sorting out staff, not just coaches but the whole staffing group, and it's an extensive review.

Israel Folau claims he was in line for "possible captainship" and is now demanding $14 million from Rugby Australia

The cross-code star lodged an updated statement of claim in the Federal Court where he’s increasing his demands from $10 million to $14 million.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Folau, who was sacked for anti-gay comments made on social media this year, said his contract termination will cost him more than $4 million from 2019-21 and also claimed he stood to make up to $1.5 million a season overseas when his contract with RA was up.

Rugby Australia chief apologises for poorly behaved Wallabies

     RA chief Raelene Castle felt compelled to write a letter of apology over the behaviour of the Wallabies squad at the World Cup, according to media reports.

Tournament organisers were said to have been unhappy with a number of the Australian contingent in Japan, including former coach Michael Cheika, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

The paper quotes an unnamed source, who reportedly saw Castle’s letter, in which she bids to made amends for Cheika’s criticism of World Rugby and referees, and presenting a general “us against them” attitude during the tournament.

'We have to get rid of the entire [Australian] board and start again'

David Leckie, the former chief executive of the Seven Media Group, didn’t pull any punches in his assessment of the sport’s national body, with a particular focus on Castle.

“We have to get rid of the entire board and start again,” Leckie told the Australian. “There’s not a single person on it who deserves to remain there.

“Raelene has been a total disaster. She doesn’t know rugby, she doesn’t know Australia and, judging by her time at Canterbury (Bulldogs), she doesn’t know how to manage a salary cap.

Marika Koroibete credits Michael Cheika after being awarded John Eales Medal

Koroibete paid a heartfelt tribute to Cheika after joining the modern-day greats of Australian rugby as the Wallabies’ 2019 player of the year.

In just his third season in the 15-man code after defecting from the NRL, the electric winger won the battle of the Fijian-born backs to see off Samu Kerevi and claim the Wallabies’ highest individual honour.

Hodge cited for dangerous tackle against Fiji

More than 24 hours after the incident, citing commissioner John Montgomery of Scotland ruled Hodge had a case to answer following the tackle on flanker Peceli Yato which appeared to be high and involved no arms midway through the first half of Australia's 39-21 victory.

The 25-year-old Melbourne Rebels utility back will attend an independent judicial committee hearing in Tokyo but a date and time are yet to be determined.

No room for David Pocock and Michael Hooper in Australian lineup says Wallabies legend

The veteran loose forward returned from a calf injury to play his first test of the year in Australia’s final pre-World Cup hit out against Samoa in Sydney last weekend, an encouraging sign as Pocock embarks on a third World Cup campaign.

He also led the side in place of fellow openside flanker Michael Hooper, who was rested.

Wallabies spots still up for grabs following Samoan scare

Australia wrapped up their pre-World Cup Test campaign with a 34-15 win over Samoa in Sydney on Saturday.

A good first-half display, which was rewarded with a 22-3 halftime lead, was offset by an unconvincing second-half performance, with Samoa scoring the first 12 points, before two late tries pushed the home side clear.

Cheika said the game had been a really good hit out for the Wallabies, who now have a 3-2 record this year.