Rugby Australia's new Chief Executive Officer, Raelene Castle isn't concerned about the prospect of having to work with controversial Wallabies coach, Michael Cheika.
The Kiwi succeeds former boss Bill Pulver, having spent the last four years in charge of the Caterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Speaking to Brendan Telfer on RadioLIVE, Castle is confident she can use her experience working with the NRL club's coach, Des Hasler to her advantage.
"Anyone who's worked closely with a successful head coach recognises that they have big personalities often, very strong personalities and you have to find a way to form a relationship," she said.
"The Des Hasler you guys see publicly and in the coach's box is not the guy I deal with on a daily basis.
"Michael Cheika's the same; he's a very intelligent, well-educated, successful business person and brings some real intelligence and other innovative ideas to his coaching.
She has only had a brief exchange with Cheika since her appointment, but is keen to kick-on and work with the outspoken coach.
"I'm looking forward to starting that process and had sort of an hour or so with Michael so far and once we start in January, looking forward to forging that relationship with him," she said.
Castle is the first female boss of any national governing bodies of the four major football codes in Australia, as well as previously being the first woman to be a CEO of a club in the NRL.
Despite the ground-breaking achievements, her appointment was met with some criticism across the ditch, but she doesn't believe the gender aspect will be a talking point in the future.
"I'm not surprised that they're some people that will have some slightly raised eyebrows as to why they would appoint a New Zealander and a woman into that role," Castle said.
"But I think what Rugby Australia did was go through an incredibly thorough process that was an eight-week process with six interviews and they really searched hard for who believed was the best person for the job.
"I wouldn't describe it as sexist, I think it's more fascination which I understand that, and for me, if they are still calling me a female administrator in rugby circles in 12 months' time, then that would be a problem."
Newshub.