Sally Bolton is a candidate to replace Nigel Wood at top of rugby league
Rugby Football League chief executive steps down. Now head of the 2013 World Cup could be next head of the sport.
RUGBY league could have a woman at the top after Sally Bolton emerged as a candidate to replace departed Nigel Wood.
But Blake Solly could return or Ralph Rimmer may land the job of chief executive of the Rugby Football League permanently.
Wood has stepped down after 10 years at the top of both the RFL and Super League and is expected to take up a similar job at the Rugby
League International Federation.
Now candidates are lining up to replace him and sources have told SunSport that Bolton, who masterminded the 2013 World Cup, would be a popular choice.
However, Solly – the former general manager of Super League who is now chief exec at NRL side South Sydney – may also be in the running.
Rimmer, the RFL’s current chief operating officer, is currently filling in until a permanent successor is found and could stay on if he does a good job.
However, if chiefs want to look outside rugby league, Everton chief executive Rob Elstone may emerge as a successor.
He has links with the 13-a-side code after working as a director at boyhood heroes Castleford.
Whoever replaces Wood will have their hands full immediately as Super League is set to vote to expand to 14 teams on Wednesday and the next broadcast deal is set to come up.
Trying to nail England coach Wayne Bennett down to a new deal after England’s World Cup near miss will also be a priority.
On leaving, Wood said: “I am an unashamed rugby league fan and can think of no greater honour that be asked to fulfil the role of CEO for
the Rugby Football League.
“However, leadership presents many tests, and the greatest of these is to recognise when it is time to step out and this is the right moment to do so.”
