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Thread: Rebels and Force give ARU both barrels

  1. #1
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    Rebels and Force give ARU both barrels

    Interesting stuff in the West about the writ AND Taylor has tried to get information on $28 million dollar question and others but the ARU have refused to reveal anything.

    Nick Taylor

    Western Force have confronted the Australian Rugby Union, demanding they stay loyal to their alliance agreement as they battle the Melbourne Rebels for Super Rugby survival.
    Details of the Force demands have emerged in the writ issued by the club notifying the ARU of their intention to apply for an injunction against any plan to revoke their Super Rugby licence.
    The Force claim the ARU have obligations under the alliance agreement signed last May by the club and the governing body that commits both parties through the current broadcast deal that ends in 2020.
    The writ states that the ARU should:
    Maintain the Western Force as a Super Rugby team in Perth
    Ensure the Western Force remains based in Perth and financially sustainable
    Commit to the Western Force remaining in Perth and to work with the WA government to reduce the club's financial commitments
    Preserve the Western Force as a WA team.
    The Force have asked for talks with the ARU on arrangements under the alliance agreement .... “in circumstances where the SANZAAR broadcast agreements or (sic) renegotiated or are likely to be renegotiated”.
    They have also called for a level playing field over player distribution by addressing "uneven distribution of Australian rugby talent to ensure that the Western Force is competitive."
    The legal battle for survival may drag on after the ARU agreed to cut a team at the end of the season.
    The Force issued the writ on Monday and slammed the ARU, claiming to have uncovered alarming flaws in the governing body's business plan that will be used to cull a side.
    Rebels owner Andrew Cox, who has offered to sell the licence of his struggling club back to the ARU for $4.75 million, has warned he could also start legal action.
    The ARU has refused to answer a series of questions from The West Australian about the process that led them to consider axing the Rebels or Force and the business plan put to the Force.
    They would only say that all possible scenarios were considered in the financial modelling.
    They issued a “no comment” when asked about the outcome of a meeting on Wednesday between Cox and ARU chief executive Bill Pulver and whether the ARU was investigating a possible buy-out of his club.
    They also refused to comment on a statement on the alliance made by ARU chairman Cameron Clyne in a radio interview.
    “There's been a change in circumstances,” he said. but would not go into legal or financial details.
    Clyne has said the reason behind cutting a side was mainly financial claiming the ARU has spent an unbudgeted $28 million on Super Rugby clubs since 2013 — two years after the Rebels were admitted to the competition
    .
    The ARU refused to supply a breakdown of the unbudgeted money although it is understood some $20 has been spent on the Rebels.
    “For confidentiality reasons I am unable to provide a breakdown of special support funding to Super Rugby teams,” a spokesman said.
    The Brumbies were also under threat. The ARU saved them but have refused to detail reasons behind the decision.
    South Africa will lose two sides when Super Rugby shrinks from 18 to 15 sides but the Argentinian Jaguars and Japan's Sunwolves will remain, causing anger in the rugby community.

    More here
    https://thewest.com.au/sport/rugby-u...-ng-b88446816z

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    Last edited by wholetruth; 14-04-17 at 23:36.

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    Immortal GIGS20's Avatar
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    Great work nick. This one just needs to be syndicated nationally, unfortunately, I think there's little chance of the 28 million being itemised, as it probably puts the brumbies, Reds and tahs in as much shit as the rebels.

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    C'mon the

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    I just posted to Twitter -
    Probably only West Australians would understand this. But hey @ARUhq , where is the 28? @westernforce #OwntheForce @thewholeforce
    Name:  4117354572_1b0ab29fa7.jpg
Views: 741
Size:  63.6 KB

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    Love it Gerry- Intellectual burn.

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    Immortal GIGS20's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by travelling_gerry View Post
    I just posted to Twitter - Probably only West Australians would understand this. But hey @ARUhq , where is the 28? @westernforce #OwntheForce @thewholeforce Name:  4117354572_1b0ab29fa7.jpg
Views: 741
Size:  63.6 KB
    So the answer is "everywhere except where you want it"

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    Legend Contributor fulvio sammut's Avatar
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    I must say that I found the following quote from the RugbyWA writ as appears in Taylor's article ironic, and breath taking in its hypocrisy:

    "They [RugbyWA] have also called for a level playing field over player distribution by addressing 'uneven distribution of Australian rugby talent to ensure that the Western Force is competitive.' ".

    It appears that RugbyWA expects that the ARU adhere to a greater moral and ethical standard than RugbyWA itself is prepared to adhere to in the allocation of its contracted players between its own constituent clubs.

    It must be apparent to RugbyWA that the ARU can throw back in their face the same feeble arguments RugbyWA have been using about restriction of trade, player preferences, agreements with RUPA, etc. etc. while enabling, encouraging and facilitating the concentration of its contracted players within certain local clubs to the exclusion of others.

    Having said that, I, like all of us, hope that RugbyWA can overcome the morally,ethically, and potentially legally, corrupted and unfair manner in which the ARU is seeking to remove the Force from the competition.

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    Immortal Contributor shasta's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by fulvio sammut View Post

    Having said that, I, like all of us, hope that RugbyWA can overcome the morally,ethically, and potentially legally, corrupted and unfair manner in which the ARU is seeking to remove the Force from the competition.
    In light of Clyne's public admissions 18 teams has alwys been unsustainable, any chance of giving us your take on the legality of....

    1. The ARU demanding ownership of a franchise in return for money at the same time as scheming to shut it down.

    2.Selling another franchise to a private owner knowing it is likely to fail because of that unsustainable model.

    3. Saying that one of these actions are being forced by unsustainable spending while refusing to reveal the details.

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    Quote Originally Posted by shasta View Post
    In light of Clyne's public admissions 18 teams has alwys been unsustainable, any chance of giving us your take on the legality of....

    1. The ARU demanding ownership of a franchise in return for money at the same time as scheming to shut it down.

    2.Selling another franchise to a private owner knowing it is likely to fail because of that unsustainable model.

    3. Saying that one of these actions are being forced by unsustainable spending while refusing to reveal the details.
    In what is basically a government department.
    Or at least receives loads of commonwealth money

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    Immortal Contributor jono's Avatar
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    Also the rebels have issued a pretty strong statement:

    The following is a statement from the Melbourne Rebels Rugby Union Pty Limited board and management:

    Not on our Watch

    The Melbourne Rebels Rugby Union (MRRU) deny the right of the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) to “cut or chop” the Melbourne Rebels from the Super Rugby Competition. MRRU expresses great disappointment in the manner in which the matter has been managed and immediately calls on the ARU to publicly state that MRRU can not and is not being ‘cut or chopped’ from the Super Rugby Competition and advise the public that it had no right to say it could do this or to ‘request the Melbourne Rebels to ‘make its case’.

    Legal position

    Last Sunday evening, ARU Chair Cameron Clyne advised MRRU Chair Jonathan Ling that the ARU had decided to reduce the Australian representation from five to four teams and, further, that the Brumbies were ‘safe’ and that either the Rebels or the Force would be “cut”. This was contrary to advice that MRRU had previously received from ARU management.

    We unequivocally reject that the ARU has any ability to “chop” or “cut” (ARU words) the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby licence. Any representation by the ARU, including its Chairman, to that effect is legally incorrect and in complete conflict with the constitution of the ARU. The ARU’s continued use of these terms and perpetuation of this myth continues to cause significant damage to MRRU and its players and staff.

    Despite being advised of its inability to “chop” MRRU, the ARU proceeded down this path thereby knowingly causing significant additional damage to MRRU – its players, coaches and stakeholders

    MRRU is steadfast in its stance that the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) does not have the legal right to “cut” MRRU from the competition and that MRRU is in full compliance with the requirements of its Super Rugby Participation Deed. Further, MRRU will continue to perform all of its responsibilities to the Australian Rugby Union under its licence, and fully expects the Australian Rugby Union to do the same.

    MRRU notes, and is very disappointed to hear and read statements that the board and senior management of the ARU did not believe for many years in the 5 team model and did not believe that model was financially viable. MRRU notes that this concern was not conveyed to Imperium Sports Management prior to its acquisition of MRRU despite the full board and management of the ARU having the opportunity to do so.

    Patently through no fault of our own MRRU has suffered significant damage (financial, reputational, commercial and personal) by the ARU’s handling of this whole process and its unnecessary public statements and actions. Given these actions MRRU has notified the ARU of its intention to seek compensation and at this time has reserved all rights.

    Support of our Fans and Stakeholders

    MRRU would like to acknowledge the unwavering support it has received from the club’s members, fans and commercial partners during this unsatisfactory decision-making process.

    MRRU is disappointed that its staff, players, members, fans and partners have suffered anguish and emotional distress.

    MRRU appreciates all the support it has received from Victoria, Australia and around the World. MRRU acknowledges the frustration of some of its fans and social media followers and apologises for that perceived lack of communication while MRRU has been confirming its legal rights. With MRRU’s position now firmly established MRRU will be very public in its stance.

    Rebels and the Victorian Rugby Union

    MRRU, in conjunction with the Victorian Rugby Union (VRU), is totally committed to supporting the development and growth of rugby from grassroots to elite levels.

    MRRU notes the ongoing support of the VRU and its President and Eminent QC, Tim North, who said:

    “The VRU is strongly committed to its partnership with MRRU and its objectives of growing the game in Victoria and a successful Super Rugby Licencee in Melbourne is critical to that realisation.”

    Ironically while the ARU has been looking to “chop” the MRRU team, rugby in Victoria has never been healthier. We have experienced unprecedented growth in participation, development and national success. And the MRRU’s and VRU’s commitment to rugby’s development pathways is yielding results with a record six home-grown players contracted to the Rebels this season and a record 10 Rebels named in the 2017 Australian U20s squad.

    MRRU also wants to publicly acknowledge the Premier Daniel Andrews, Treasurer Tim Pallas, Sports Minister John Eren and their teams for their support of the MRRU and Victorian Rugby in general and specifically thoroughout this whole unnecessary and damaging saga.

    ARU Broadcast Money

    MRRU reluctantly accepts that the ARU board has voted to reduce the number of Super Rugby teams but it does not accept that the ARU arbitrarily takes the surplus funds ($6.0m) resulting from this decision.

    This money is generated by the Super Rugby licencees and should be going back to the Super Rugby licence holders on an equal basis to ensure that they can be financially independent going forward – a stated ARU objective.

    Growth of the game at all levels relies heavily on the success and sustainability of the Super Rugby teams and with their success will come greater participation and a profile for the game. The ARU has substantial revenue outside of this broadcast money and a judicious and unbiased allotment of this money will be sufficient to fund the direct investment they wish to allocate to the grassroots level of the game.

    Competition Structure

    The ARU has made it clear that Super Rugby is not delivering for the fans or viewers and the teams are all financially marginal. MRRU is disappointed that SANZAAR and the ARU did not use the strategic review as an opportunity to ensure that all teams played each other once by simply extending the Super Rugby Competition by two (2) more rounds, this could easily be fitted into the existing schedule by playing two rounds during the four week test window with limited impact.

    This additional content would also be welcomed by the broadcaster, would make the competition fairer and importantly assist the Super Rugby teams with more opportunities to engage with fans and sponsors. We all want more Super Rugby not less, and we all want a fairer draw.

    MRRU immediately requests the ARU to put an end to this ongoing saga and to allow the Australian rugby community and our Rebels Family, including players, staff, families, members, fans and stakeholders, to focus on rugby without further unwarranted distraction and mitigate any further damage.
    https://melbournerebels.com/2017/04/...s-statement-2/

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    Immortal Contributor shasta's Avatar
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    Pay attention in class. :

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    Immortal Contributor shasta's Avatar
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    Looking at that statement again, the part referring to SR broadcast has merit. Basically "give the grassroots money from Wallabies TV rights" rather than using it all to keep the Big 3 untouchables stacked with Wallabies.
    Some more of the board members need to grow a pair and help Stookie tell the Emperor about his fast disappearing clothes.

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    I foresee the ARU board being disbanded in the next 2 months on a vote of no confidence... The NSWRFU will be eager to get this hushed up.. If the ACCC are required to step in and resolve the situation the books will be opened up.. Now RUPA is involved on the side to the SR clubs This is the channel to force the vote.. The players have the power to start the process.. SA rugby are taking there time and have put it to all clubs to fight for survival.. I see the 2018 SR yr may not even get off the ground and the media could start with holding money as Rugby in the SH is an absolute sham.. The ARU could be broke if VRU,,,MRRU ,,, Rugby WA and The Western Force's court proceedings got the right way..

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    We need a Four Corners expose of the ARU. That usually gets some kind of result and a lot of publicity..

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    ARU will not release the breakdown of the $28 million. It is too damaging to their position.


    The Force have asked for talks with the ARU on arrangements under the alliance agreement .... “in circumstances where the SANZAAR broadcast agreements or (sic) renegotiated or are likely to be renegotiated”.

    Also sounds to me that we weren't party to SANZAAR broadcast renegotiations. Another breached clause of the Alliance Agreement.

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    Immortal jargan83's Avatar
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    The fact that the ARU will not release a breakdown of the $28 million tells me that we are still firmly in the firing line at the moment and that they expected us to roll over and die. How does keeping the side that cost them $20 million out of $28 million make any sense?

    I reckon the the ARU needs investigating over this and where all their money has been going.

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