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Nick Taylor
Thursday, February 16, 2017 11:29AM
Australia’s professional rugby players have thrown their weight behind retaining Western Force in the Super Rugby competition.
Speculation has surrounded the future of the Force since a review ordered by SANZAAR, the competition’s governing body, made a number of recommendations that included a change of structure and a reduction in the number of teams.
Since then the Force has strengthened its financial position, striking a sponsorship deal with the Road Safety Commission.
The $1.5 million naming rights agreement is the biggest 12-month deal signed by an Australian Super Rugby franchise and has a three-year rollover renewal option.
They are also close to finalising the Own The Force campaign that is hoped to raise $5 million as the club becomes supporter owned.
With the ARU board meeting on Monday when the competition structure will be discussed followed by a SANZAAR meeting next month the Rugby Union Players’ Association has come out strongly to oppose any change that would see an Australian team cut from the competition.
RUPA Chief executive Xenos said there was a great opportunity for the ARU to advance the interests of Australian Rugby at the SANZAAR table.
“There is no denying that the current 18-team model has posed challenges that are real and which merit the consideration of alternatives,” Xenos said.
“The breadth of time zones, the lack of tribalism, and fewer home fixtures for each team to commercialise has perpetuated the economic pressure that the new broadcast deal was hoped to eliminate.
“Professional rugby is the economic engine of the game in Australia and we need more local content, not less, generating a larger revenue base to reinvest into premier and community Rugby.
“The ARU has a vision to inspire all Australians but there is nothing inspirational for any of the game’s stakeholders in voluntarily going backwards.”
RUPA president Dean Mumm said it was vital the game in Australia did not shrink.
“The players are engaged in ensuring that any new competition model genuinely remedies the current competition’s strategic failings and delivers more relevant, local derbies for Australian Rugby fans to enjoy,” Mumm said.
“Other codes in this country are growing their domestic competitions and fixtures at significant pace, and we simply can’t do the opposite in an attempt to shrink our way to success.
“It is vital that we preserve all opportunities for players and coaches to enter the professional rugby pathway all across the country. The game needs to inspire the next generation to play rugby and a successful national shopfront is paramount to that effort.
“Maximising elite opportunities for players and enhancing our state programs is the best strategy to fight the international player drain and develop our depth for Super Rugby and Wallaby competitiveness.
“By retaining five teams throughout the remainder of the current broadcast agreement, we allow time for a robust professional competition to be mapped out, and for the global season discussions to conclude, in order to develop a highly competitive and lucrative model to support Australian Rugby for all.”
https://thewest.com.au/sport/rugby-u...-ng-b88388726z
Why is this all pointed at the force last in first out,, or the team that has ask for the mot money to go,, or why not the warraturds or the Reds.. Ponies are not to stable in the last yr or so.. I get sick of the force always getting the gun to the head in the media..
as pointed out buy Tonka at least we know who is going to be culled
As long as the Rebels continue to be "Privately Owned" They are never going to be on the chopping block.
Like it or not - the Waratahs and the Reds are bullet proof.
Brumbies are possible option - but many will say that with the Brumbies are the most successful Australian SuperRugby team and its difficult to kick out Winners.
I dont believe that they will get rid of the Western Force. I believe this with all of my heart.
The Force while unsuccessful on the field - have proven to be successful in player development that is now starting to show fruition. The Western Force provide the perfect Time Zone option as far as broadcast times are concerned and that our continued success in attracting Wallaby quality players to the fold will see us be a part of the landscape for many many years to come.
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
Your first three statements are exactly the point I was trying to make. The second half of my post was about what SHOULD happen.
I think the ARU should fight with everything they have to keep 5 teams, but if forced to drop a team, the most logical thing is to combine the Brums and the Rebs, based in Melbourne. That will be a very lng bow to draw and will probably only happen if they can pay off the private owners of the Rebs and retain the Brumbies brand (which will keep the Canberrans quiet.
but by far, the easiest option is to shitcan the Force, because Georgina Robinson has been banging on about shutting us down for a year now in an attempt to make her NSW readership feel better about how much their life sucks!
C'mon the![]()
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For those of you that dont know - I am on the committee of a Rugby Club based in Western Sydney. Which was at one time part of the biggest suburban Rugby competition in the world known as Subbies Rugby.
Within 40kms of my Club are two Shute Shield clubs. Parramatta and Penrith. As well as 3 Clubs that participate in Subbies Rugby at various levels. My Club - Hawkesbury Agricultural College aka HAC Rugby - is the highest ranked of these Subbies Clubs. My Club has been alive for 126 years and have won Club competitions from Division one to Division 3. We have developed Wallabies, Waratahs and Western Force Players (Scott Stannerforth).
I cant say with absolute certainty that HAC Rugby has never received any assistance - monetary or otherwise from - the NSWRU or ARU. But it is a very safe bet.
The 2 Shute Shield Clubs - Parramatta and Penrith - have over the last 20 years struggled financially and on the field. Along with massive rumors of financial impropriety have received minimal or zero support from NSWRU or ARU.
Parramattas and Penrith home grounds are a joke - neither are suitable for Super Rugby. Parramatta Rugby League Ground - is currently being upgraded but is also shared with the Western Sydney Wanderers Soccer Club. Its unlikely that they would be willing to share with someone else. Penrith Rugby League Stadium is owned by the Club - they are not likely to be willing to share with any form of competition.
The Waratahs - even when they won the competition - never had a full house at Allianz Stadium.
With all of these facts in mind - Can someone please show me that there is a need to move the Western Force - to Western Sydney. I am sorry - I live here and I just dont see it.
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
Wrong people to be asking Ex, the Sydney journo's are the one's who see the need, not us!
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
See I dont get that either.
When Georgina Robinson first said "The Western Force is moving to Western Sydney" it was a bullshit statement to a question asking reporters to predict 5 years in to the future.
Then for the next 3 or 4 episodes of the Show - Marto (dickhead) and Robinson continued to apologise for making the statement in the first place.
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
And yet, it's still on the table,
Why?
Because the reporters are looking for easy stories that sell newspapers. To do that, they need to paper over the problems in the Wallabies, In the ARU and in the Waratahs (because most of the crap comes from NSW) and make the readers feel as though the world is going to be a better place. For the readers of Payton and Robinson that means ensuring that the unwashed masses of the west are taken care of, but they don't have to step a foot outside the Eastern suburbs.
Any proposal that suggests that will always get a good hearing by the SMH editors.
C'mon the![]()
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Can I ask a few Questions please... If the force were to be moved or wound up how many folk on here would support rugby union at a national level by watching the super rugby or Wallabies ??? I do know a lot of you have travelled for Force games and Wallaby games.. Would you continue to support another super rugby team ??? I for one would turn my back and change to Mungo's as I am a interstate supporter of the Bunnies,, I Would also ask our players the ??? How many would retire due to age, go to Europe, and how many would go to the east.. It would be a sad day for WA Union as so many young players in our local comp have set there sights on a place in the national team and are trying thru the force to reach that goal...
Don't know about others, but if they wrapped up the Force that would be it for me at all levels. It would be hard to see it as anything other than a clear statement that WA has no role to play within the sport.
I'd probably jump back on the crusaders bandwagon
I was a rugby fan before the Force so I'll continue to be - don't know if I'd keep following Super Rugby or not though.
I'm with AndyS.
I'll support the Sharks in SuperRugby and go back to supporting England internationally.
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby