Tahs Reshuffle As Illness Forces Thaiday Out Of Highlanders' Clash
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday May 1, 2004
The Waratahs last night were forced to make a late change to their back line after winger Milton Thaiday arrived late to the captain's run, complaining of illness.
Thaiday, who earlier in the week was suffering from the flu, has been replaced by Scott Staniforth, while Elia Tuqiri moves onto the bench.
Thaiday arrived at Aussie Stadium a considerable time after the captain's run had begun. He was immediately examined by the NSW medical staff, who declared him unavailable for the Highlanders' match. Thaiday, who was sidelined by a mystery virus earlier this season, will have further tests today.
Although the Australian Rugby Union has delayed an announcement of its new chief executive officer, it was at least able to report yesterday a net surplus of $32.9 million for last year.
The ARU has been interviewing several candidates for the post left vacant by John O'Neill's move to the Australian Soccer Association and an announcement is now not expected for at least another week. Negotiations with the ``preferred candidate" will continue early next week.
The Herald understands at least one leading candidate may be out of the hunt because, if he accepted the ARU's top spot, it would mean a big salary drop.
ACT, meanwhile, failed in its bid to get its nominee Peter McGrath on the ARU board, with Northern Territory's Dennis Bree winning the vote. NSW's Dilip Kumar was re-appointed, while Queensland's Ben Kehoe joins the board.
At its annual general meeting in Sydney yesterday, the ARU announced it would distribute a record $6.4m to its member unions.
ARU chairman Bob Tuckey said the success of the 2003 World Cup tournament was a key factor in the large surplus. Despite the Wallabies losing their cup title last November, Tuckey described 2003 as ``the most successful year yet for Australian Rugby. The World Cup delivered a surplus of $42.6m, but revenue lines in our business-as-usual activities were also significantly better than budget."
Player numbers last year rose above 150,000 for the first time.
Former Wallabies coach David Brockhoff was made a life member of the ARU.
© 2004 Sydney Morning Herald
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