Former Wallaby Ron Graham has been elected Chairman of the Australian Rugby Union at today's Board meeting in Sydney.
His appointment follows the resignation yesterday of Mr Dilip Kumar from that role.
Mr Graham has been a Director of the ARU since 2000 and is currently Vice-President of the ARU. He has also been President of the New South Wales Rugby Union (NSWRU) since 2002 and was Chairman of the NSWRU from 2000-2002.
As a player, Ron Graham played 18 Tests for Australia in the 1970's as a front rower and is a former Captain of New South Wales.
Mr Graham said he was committed to ensuring Australia has a strong and united voice in international Rugby.
"I believe Australian Rugby is ready to move forward very positively on and off the field. Next year is an important one for Rugby with the advent of the Tooheys New Super 14, an expanded Tri Nations Series, the Commonwealth Games Sevens and the ARU inheriting the Secretariat of SANZAR."
"We are committed to providing a strong voice at the International Rugby Board (IRB)."
Mr Graham reaffirmed Australia's commitment to maintaining positive working relations with its SANZAR partners, but reiterated that Australia's decision to vote for Japan with regard to Rugby World Cup hosting rights was a decision taken by the ARU Board.
"The ARU has moved on from this issue and will offer the New Zealand Rugby Union every assistance towards staging a successful event. We are confident the relationship between all the SANZAR Unions is mature enough for us all to focus on our mutually beneficial goals."