SANZAR really needs to improve its act. The farce that is SANZAR was there for all to see again earlier in the week, when the organisation appealed against its own judicial decision and then decided to stick with the original decision. Got that. Blblblblblbl.

Such confusion is nothing new for SANZAR, but it took an extra dimension during the Michael Hooper striking saga when the organisation appealed over its own judicial officer's suspension for being too lenient. This is far from the only area in which SANZAR has bewildered rugby franchises and followers.

We keep waiting and waiting for SANZAR to announce its whiz-bang new broadcasting deal; the announcement was to have been made months ago, but still nothing but feeble promises that the deal is supposed to be a bag full of riches. Maybe it is just a SANZAR mirage. Then there is the perplexity surrounding Super Rugby expansion, and the fears that the inclusion of Japan will bring it all toppling down. Japan is struggling to sign players for the franchise's introduction into next year's 18-team Super Rugby competition. Other SANZAR lowlights included embarrassing tweets from the media department and baffling refereeing appointments.

There was anything but an outflow of tears at numerous Super Rugby franchises when it was announced recently that SANZAR chief executive Greg Peters was moving on to head Argentina Rugby, with numerous high-ranking rugby officials arguing vehemently that he had struggled to distinguish himself at the organisation.

There is also a growing belief that SANZAR has become too pro-New Zealand, and the scheduling of the All Blacks-Pumas Test on a Friday, gifting the Kiwis one more day in South Africa while the Springboks remained in Australia, has caused ructions in the Republic.

It is certainly time for radical changes at SANZAR HQ. A smart operator is desperately needed.

Down on his luck, and on his …

The Wallabies have kept it quiet, but a notable player, who is at the moment down on his luck, had a massive 'dummy spit' a few days ago, prompting one of the team staff to put him in his place. Let's just say the player had to drag himself off the carpet.

Astounding; absolutely astounding

The audacity of some of the big noters at the ARU continues to astound. The volume at a Sydney lunch where three ARU board directors scoffed their way through the menu became high level when one suggested he was worthy of a bonus, saying also that his family should be paid to attend the World Cup. This was a silly place to make these ridiculous remarks because many others at the restaurant heard them and took note. The Ruck'n Maul phone has been running hot.

Don Michael Cheika, ladies and gentlemen

Michael Cheika runs the ARU. That's pretty obvious. Cheika's strong powerbase has some calling him 'The Don'. According to one of his friends, and I emphasise friends, "it is unclear if 'the Don' is as in Corleone or Trump". After the recent bizarre Australian Story episode, maybe even Bradman. We will keep you informed.

Heard the one about two chairs at ARU HQ?

Our item last week about movements at the ARU caused a great deal of interest, and there has been a distinct change in the betting market for who will take over from Michael Hawker next year as union chairman. We said that Cameron Clyne and Brett Robinson were equal favourites ahead of a large field that included Paul McLean, Ann Sherry, Paul McLean, Nick Farr-Jones, Roger Davis, Rod McCall and, shock of all shocks, Geoff Stooke. Now the mail from the ARU bunker is that Clyne and Robinson are going to share the chairman position. The strong word is that Clyne will be the domestic chairman, and Robinson will be the international chairman representing the ARU overseas. How that works remains a mystery, and is bound to cause problems. All this came from another candidate, who has lost interest. He's apparently had "a gutful" and "doesn't care anymore what happens at his province or with Australian rugby". Seemingly he is not alone.

Where's the Bledisloe Cup publicity?

Memo to the ARU. Did you actually think of promoting the Sydney Bledisloe Cup Test? There's been virtually no marketing of the game, despite its importance. No wonder publicity about the match within Sydney's newspapers is buried deep. Yet another lost opportunity. The marketing department must have had this week off. ESPNscrum Associate Editor Sam Bruce tells me, however, that HSBC's Fan Engagement expo in Pitt Street Mall featuring Wallabies players and a virtual reality changing room was a great success on Thursday, with fans queuing to be involved.

Richard Graham's position now - finally - not to steady

Ruck'n Maul was fortunate enough to attend the Reds Gala Ball in Brisbane last Friday night. It was a spectacular evening; one of the best rugby functions held for some time. The mumbling in the room revolved around whether the embattled Richard Graham would stay on to be Reds coach. Graham has appeared safe for some months, but he is now not so steady. The feeling in the room was that Graham will go. As one loyal Reds observer said: "There will be an enormous outcry in the Reds heartland if he stays. Many will walk away."

Who needs shoes?

The Newport Breakers played without footy socks but still retained the Manly Daily Shield after beating Forest last weekend. The Newport players in all grades took the field without their socks in honour of a former player, Moape Ravuvu, who died in 2012 after a game. He was renowned for playing in boots only. Newport celebrated with a hungi feast to raise funds for the Ravuvu family.

Whispers of the Week

• What's this about a well-known former Wallabies goalkicker complaining to an ARU board member that someone else has been working with the Australian team as a goal-kicking coach, and that the position should have instead gone to him? Actually, the person attending wouldn't be a bad choice as kicking coach. He at least knows something about the art - unlike some in the Wallabies playing squad.
• Our item last week about a saucy video involving a Sydney premiership club, a gymnasium, players and a former functions manager has caused a lot of interest. And there is an intriguing follow-up. Apparently the club involved launched an internal inquiry about the video, only to discover that two directors are implicated. We hear they had to be separated from each other during an extraordinary meeting.
• Eyebrows raised. Now who is the ARU staffer with a high opinion of his own talents who announced last weekend at a busy seaside bar that he would one day be the union's chief executive?