Force set to be axed

[WFDom]

Also confirmed it was the ARU's decision to cut one Aus team

They also stated they pursued the Trans Tasman option, but received zero interest back from the Kiwis

[jargan83]

Decision on which team gets cut expected within 48-72 hours.

[jargan83]

Live blog of the press conference here:

http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/l...1754fd95b02793

[wallabydarnd]

Abc radio 720 Jeff Hutchison segment this morning wants direct fan feedback and calls

[Herbasimplex]

Key Points:


Pulver cant read a Conference Table ( Bottom teams)

I assume Pulver relies on his butler for that type of info

[GIGS20]

4 TEAMSS HAVE HAD FINANCIAL ASSITSANCE AND 1 HAS NOT LOL RUGBY WILL DIE A SLOW DEATH WITH IDIOTS LIKE THIS AT THE TOP...

By that statement, I'd have to say the 1 that hasn't would be the Force wouldn't it? we sold our IP for 800K and our license for 3 Mill, everybody else has just been handed a brown paper bag.

[GIGS20]

I assume Pulver relies on his butler for that type of info

No, he asks his bosses at the NSWRU. According to Pulver, the ranking of teams in australia goes
Randwick
The rest of the Shute Shield
Tahs
Reds
Country NSW
Anybody else from Qld
Daylight
Brumbies
A couple of light years
Anybody else playing rugby in Australia.

[MI5_Dog]

If the decision is really going to be based on financial soundness then we're a shoe in.
but that's a very big 'IF'

[PerthGirl]

Saw a little bit of the press conference on Fox a sport when I got home.

Hodgo will always be a champion on and off of the field.

I cried when I saw him on TV. He is such a genuine man

[Kept One]

Emailed Bill Pulver the following this morning:

Mr Pulver,

On the 30/03/2017 I emailed the ARU with the following:

“It appears that the statement put out by the ARU on the 28/3/2017 in regards to Super Rugby future is not entirely honest and designed to mislead the rugby following public. According to journalist Jamie Pandaram of The Daily Telegraph "A TOP SECRET proposal has been drafted by the ARU that summarises how a 15-team Super Rugby tournament would work next year, and it does not involve the Western Force". I am disappointed and disillusioned that the ARU has decided to support the interests of rugby in other countries, such as Japan, Argentina and South Africa over the needs of Australian rugby.

The ARU needs to follow up and make a definitive statement that says regardless of the decision in South Africa, Australia will not be cutting a Super Rugby Team. To not do so will only prove that the ARU and it's Board's action in this matter is duplicitous.”

To date I have not received a response back. I can only assume from this that the ARU are putting it’s head in the sand and hoping this all goes away and that the Australian Rugby Public will go with whatever decision is made. I am angry at the betrayal of the ARU about Super Rugby and call on you and the Board to resign immediately. This Board has brought rugby to it’s knees and it will take a long time before the damage is repaired.

Disillusioned,

Gary Rayner

[andrewg]

Have just watched the post-game presser where Matt Hodgson speaks from the heart.

Just like his game, he brought a level of honesty and authenticity to the discussion - something that's been sadly missing from all of the discussions around the changes to Super Rugby.

Surely the solution is simply revert back to the previous SR15 teams and drop Sunwolves, Jaguares and Kings.

A total crock and NOBODY at ANY administration level deserves any respect after the abysmal manner that this has been handled.
I expect nothing more from SANZAAR but the ARU couldn't find their b*m with both hands!

I'm also very disappointed about the change in communications between the Force and its supporter base.
The last 3 months of last year we were flooded with info and meetings and so far this year it's been too little too late!
And please don't try and tell me that there was little to say of that they were muzzled!

Lawn bowls is starting to look pretty good to me!
Without coverage of the Western Force Foxtel will have no interest to me and I'll watch the Wallabies on YouTube!.

[blueandblack]

...
Surely the solution is simply revert back to the previous SR15 teams and drop Sunwolves, Jaguares and Kings.
....

Switch Jaguares with Rebels in that.

[Sheikh]

My email to Bill Pulver and Cameron Clyne:

"Dear Sirs,

Thank you for your press conference this morning outlining the decision to remove one Australian Super Rugby side following SANZAAR's decision last month to move forward with a 3 conference, 15 team competition.

During the press conference Mr Clyne mentioned that the decision on which side is to be culled would be made within 48-72 hours. Given that the decision is to be made in such a short timeframe, please could you release the criteria upon which teams will be compared and judged? This will allow the rugby community of Australia to see the decision as transparent.

Thank you for your time.

Regards,
Sheikh
Proud Western Force supporter"

Wonder if I'll get a response

[Alison]

Have emailed the Premier and Minister Murray imploring them to bring to bear any influence they have and to help in any way they can. Have also asked them to bill the ARU for $millions on behalf of every tax paying Western Australian if the decision is to axe us.

[#10]

Womens Rugby in WA - is it a factor?

I read somewhere that we have a far larger womens comp in WA as opposed to VIC, can anyone confirm this with accurate numbers?

I would like to send an email to the ARU board on what could be lost to womens rugby if the Force are disbanded. The RugbyWA womens comp won't disappear but i am sure it will lose momentum and numbers without the Force in town.

The 3 female board members are all active in promoting women's rights they should be made aware of how successful womens rugby is in WA and what could be lost.

The ARU Board:
http://http://aru.com.au/ARUAdmin/BoardofDirectors.aspx