Ex Wales and Sharks player Andy Marinos ‘incredibly proud’ taking up old role as SANZAAR CEO

Former Wales and Sharks player Andy Marinos has re-assumed his old position as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Southern Hemisphere Rugby’s governing body, (South African New Zealand Australia Argentina Rugby) SANZAAR. Marinos will take over the CEO role starting Jan. 1, 2016.

“I’m incredibly proud to have been given the responsibility of leading the ongoing growth and prosperity of Southern Hemisphere Rugby,” Marinos, who had served as SANZAAR CEO between 2008 and 2010, said as reported on Australian Rugby Union. “We are about to embark upon an exciting new expansion that will see us deliver the game to more countries, fans, and commercial markets than ever before.”

Marinos admired the performance of four national teams--the Wallabies, All Blacks, Springboks, and Pumas all reaching the semifinals at the recent Rugby World Cup. He said that the current challenge for the organisation is to guarantee that they stay on top and further enhance the game in terms of “high performance and commercial success.”

Marinos also expressed his appreciation for the trust that the organisation had put in him. He said he is looking forward to reuniting with the team next year.

The South African replaced Greg Peters, who had resigned earlier in May to take up a position with the Argentina Rugby Union. Since Peters’ departure, Brendan Morris had been acting as SANZAAR CEO on a temporary basis.

Meanwhile, South African Rugby Union (SARU) CEO Jurie Roux congratulated Marinos on his appointment as new SANZAAR CEO on Monday. Roux said that Marinos will be missed by the South African rugby community. Marinos also received well-wishes on social media.