Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle is facing a fight to keep her position according to Australian media reports.

Sydney’s Daily Telegraph reported that senior rugby figures in Australia were moving to end Castle’s tenure after a dismal financial outlook triggered by the coronavirus-enforced shutdown of rugby.

The financial woes and several recent changes to Rugby Australia’s board meant moves to oust Castle were gaining momentum, the paper added.

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Former Wallabies captain and Fox Sports commentator Rod Kafer has been touted as the favourite to succeed Castle.

Castle announced this week that 75% of staff would be stood down for three months without pay and she would take a 50% cut to her US$500 000-plus salary.

Negotiations with players over pay were still ongoing but reportedly could cut as deep as 30 to 50%.

‘Aside from being there to support each other, it is vital that we all pull together,’ Castle said in a statement on Thursday calling for unity during the crisis.

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Earlier, Castle said a worst-case scenario, in which the entire season was lost along with Wallabies Tests against Ireland and Fiji, would cost the governing body A$120 million in revenue.

The organisation posted a near A$10m loss in 2019, worsened by a hefty payout to former Wallaby Israel Folau after his sacking over homophobic social media posts.

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