The election of a new Australian Rugby Union chairman may have been put on hold but there was no moratorium for chief executive Gary Flowers whose tenure will officially end on May 11.

In another dramatic day for the struggling code, Flowers, who initially intended on seeing his contract through to the end of December, made it clear that his position was untenable and that a smooth handover to someone else couldn't occur.

"I had an obligation to the board under my contract to provide timely advice as to my intentions beyond this year," Flowers said in a statement.

"I gave that advice a week ago and committed myself to staying to year end and keeping the organisation moving forward while the board found my replacement.

"I gave that advice a week ago and committed myself to staying to year end and keeping the organisation moving forward while the board found my replacement.

"I was committed to overseeing an orderly transition.

"However, I no longer consider that smooth transition to be possible.

"While it is disappointing, I believe it is in the best interests of the game and for me personally."

The ARU Board received Flowers' offer to resign on Wednesday night, the chief executive since 2004 effectively jumping before he was pushed with the code struggling on and off the field in Australia for some time.

Things were at least expected to become clearer on the chairman's front but the vote was delayed until May 10 after the Queensland Rugby Union only had one representative elected.

Because the QRU is entitled to a second board representative, the meeting was adjourned for 21 days to allow them nominate another.

NSW Rugby Union chairman Arvid Petersen, who was fancied to be elected the new ARU chairman, was voted on to the ARU board.

Flowers meanwhile said he hoped Australian rugby could now move forward.

"My fervent hope now is that the rugby community gets behind the new chairman and my successor," he said.

"There are a number of key initiatives underway for implementation over the balance of the year. I am confident that my departure will not compromise these initiatives.

"It has been a privilege to lead the management team and to be the CEO of this great sporting institution."

In other news the ARU announced a surplus of $463,000 after allocations.

It announced a record amount of $10.24 million of grants to its member unions.

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