McLennan said on Friday he would fight the move to oust him.

“This will be the defining moment for the battle of rugby. It’s all about money and control and we have been failing for years. We live in interesting times,” McLennan told this masthead. “This is about principles. They are actually not putting the game first and it’s about self-interest and parochialism.”

As the RA board discussed McLennan’s future on Saturday,the chairman received the public backing of influential business figures Andrew and Nicola Forrest,who issued a message of support. The Forrests own the Western Force through their company Tattarang,and as holder of a Super Rugby licence,are a voting member of the Australian Rugby Union. Rugby WA,however,are among the six state unions who are seeking McLennan’s resignation.

“Hamish is steering rugby through a very difficult period from the complete mess that he inherited,” Andrew and Nicola Forrest toldThe Australian in a statement. “Yes,we would have all preferred a win at the World Cup,but this is not going to happen unless we rebuild national rugby from the grassroots up. As the community grassroots investment starts to feed through,we look forward to much better results in the years ahead.

“Now is not the time for more disruption in the sport,but a time for rugby to band together and back the proposed centralisation reforms. We support the efforts Hamish and the existing board are making to centralise high performance and improve governance to ensure Australian rugby administration is focused on what’s best for the game,its players and fans.”

Melbourne Rebels chairman Paul Docherty also offered public support for McLennan.

The Rebels and Rugby Victoria were not approached by the six state unions to join their campaign because they are deep in negotiations to “integrate” with RA. NSW Rugby,who recently signed over the Waratahs to RA,were also not included in the plan.

“From Melbourne’s perspective,a united game provides a stable platform for much-needed investment,that ensures growth in our grassroots,right through to successful Super Rugby Clubs,and the Wallabies,” Docherty told this masthead in a statement.

“By his own admission,Hamish has said there have been some speed bumps for rugby in Australia,but more importantly,some major achievements like our RWC 27/29 hosting rights,that will transform the game of rugby over the next decade. We can’t land years of problems at the feet of one person. We are all custodians of the game for a short time,and our goal should be to come together,not to create more division.”

Rugby Victoria also have one vote as a RA state member union and have historically been closely aligned with the Rebels.

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