Wallabies great appointed as Rugby Australia president

NEWS: Wallabies great and two-time John Eales Medalist Nathan Sharpe has been named the new Rugby Australian President.

Sharpe will take over the Presidency from Joe Roff after the Brumbies’ great concluded his two-year term at RA’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday.

The lock was the foundation captain for the Western Force, featuring in 162 games for the club and the Queensland Reds.

Sharpe debuted for the Wallabies in 2002, played 116 Tests, and was named Australia’s best player in 2007 and 2012.

Post-career, Sharpe currently serves as a Director at Talisman whilst also owning and operating an F45 gym in Brisbane.

On top of this, Kathleen Bozanic and Louise Higgins have been named as non-executive Board Directors.

Bozanic and Higgins replace Pip Marlow, who stepped down at the end of 2024.

“On behalf of everyone at Rugby Australia, I would like to welcome Nathan, Kath, and Lou to the Board following today’s Annual General Meeting,” RA Chair Dan Herbert said in a statement.

“All three were put forward after a thorough nominations process and have received the overwhelming support of Australian Rugby’s stakeholders.

“I look forward to their positive contributions to the RA Board as Australian Rugby enters a generational runway of major events and opportunities.

“I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Joe Roff and Pip Marlow, who have concluded their terms as RA’s President and non-executive Board Director respectively. Both have helped position the game for future success and I am grateful for their contributions.”