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December 01, 2021 - MATT DURRANT - Season 1 - Episode 26
EPISODE 26: The tale of the Western Force
Show Notes
A historic new expansion that turned into one of Australian rugby’s most bitter civil wars, the Western Force is a franchise that has ridden the rollercoaster of excitement and devastation. This is an episode that looks at how the team came into existence, how Australian rugby and Super Rugby evolved over that time, the inside story of the controversial axing of the team and how the Force managed to rise again from the ashes.
With first hand interviews with former ARU Board director and WA rugby stalwart Geoff Stooke, former Rugby WA chairman Tony Howarth, former ARU CEO John O’Neill and a host of others including clips from the Senate Enquiry into the “Future of Rugby in Australia”, we piece together just what happened to the Western Force and why it still matters today. Get a big cup of coffee, sit back and dig into this gripping yarn.
Thanks Matt Durrant - About time that the story was comprehensively told.
Worth the 1.5 hours of your time. Really like the optimistic close.
Last edited by andrewg; 03-12-21 at 06:57.
Great podcast, brought back a lot of memories of our journey, both good and bad.
Well done to all involved.
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”
Its a cracker. well worth the listen
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Still makes the blood boil but we have definitely come out stronger!
Not so sure. I Reckon it served to put the ARU deception on public display thru the ES media, adding ammo for Clynes exit in disgrace. He's on the public record as an incompetant wrecker.
It may have been more damning if those emails Nick Taylor dug up had already come to light. The senators could have applied the blowtorch as to exactly why AF's 50 mill was "too late". And who did/knew what/when.
The Senate would not have done squat about it.
well worth the listen, thanks andrewg![]()
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!