‘I can’t recall’: Waugh’s awkward court grilling airs rugby’s dirty laundry

May 30, 2026 — 9:30am

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The assessment that there would be no winners from the Melbourne Rebels v Rugby Australia court case was borne out in painful fashion at the Federal Court in Melbourne on Thursday.

During the livestreamed proceedings, RA chief executive Phil Waugh looked like he would rather be trapped at the bottom of a ruck being trampled by South African hard man Bakkies Botha.

Waugh’s examination was excruciating at times as he frequently defaulted to two phrases: “I don’t recall”, and “I don’t presently recall”.

Events took a near-comical turn when Rebels barrister Bernard Quinn, KC, inadvertently slipped into Kath and Kim mode, telling Waugh, “Look at me, please”, as he tried to extract a clear answer.

Former Rebels directors are suing Rugby Australia, alleging the club was treated unfairly when it lost its licence in 2024.

But no matter who wins this case – which resumes on Monday – some damage has already been done to Australian rugby, specifically Super Rugby.

In extraordinary evidence – much........

© The Sydney Morning Herald