Rugby: Hipkins was told to fall on sword

By WYNNE GRAY

Auckland rugby chief executive Geoff Hipkins was told his contract would not be renewed after a bumpy three years in charge.

The ARU board had several meetings before deciding Hipkins should go. It is understood Hipkins was told officially this week and was allowed to organise his own departure.

That spin came in a press release in which Hipkins announced that he would not be looking to renew his contract, which expires in January next year. He had "reviewed his position and decided not to take the option of renewing the contract."

The Herald understands that option was Hobson's choice - move on or we will organise it.

But yesterday Hipkins was still insisting publicly that three years was long enough for anyone to make his mark.

Hipkins had been recognised for his work with the clubs and committees.

However, for some time there has been an uneasy relationship between the chief executive, sections of the Auckland board and some of the Blues officials.

There was Hipkins' part in the unsatisfactory Jed Rowlands saga of 1999, while there have been a number of other incidents which board members were concerned about.

Hipkins' departure and the approaching exit of the chairman, Reuben O'Neill, will mean a changing of the guard at Auckland's Eden Park headquarters and the Blues' base for next season.

Former provincial coach Maurice Trapp will become ARU chairman after the next annual meeting, while Roger Fisher is set to be the Blues chairman.

A recruiting team will search for a replacement ARU chief executive officer and there will have to be a decision on whether that person will also do that work for the Blues.