Former Rugby Australia (RA) chief executive Raelene Castle reportedly received a death threat during the Israel Folau saga last year, prompting security measures at the RA offices.
The Australian Sun-Herald quotes an un-named person "with knowledge of the situation", saying the threat came around the time Folau was being subjected to a three-day hearing at RA's offices in May 2019 over his anti-gay Instagram posts.
RA reportedly implemented increased security in their building in response, and Castle's own home was also assessed for security measures.
Castle resigned as chief executive on Thursday after she became aware that she did not have the support of the board.
Acting RA Chairman Paul McLean told the Sydney Morning Herald that the abuse was frustrating.
"I’m not a social media person, but I’m aware of some of the things that were said over a period of time in a quite vicious and vitriolic way," he said.
"It’s the silent forces, the dark forces, they’re the things that upset me most. It’s the people who didn’t know the facts or were just one of those faceless people out there – that was the damaging thing from her perspective.
"She shared some of that with me, which I found quite abhorrent.
"One of my greatest concerns with her was her welfare and how she was on a daily basis. A lesser person would have thrown the towel in ages ago, quite simply."
Castle declined to comment on the death threat when contacted by the Sydney Morning Herald.
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