What about the rank and file?

[FingerTips]

The media articles about axing the Force talk about what will happen to

• the ARU (becomes financially sustainable),
• the quality of rugby played by the Super Rugby teams,
• the future performance of the Wallabies,
• the Rugby Heartland (NSW and QLD),
• the other 4 Australian Super Rugby teams (e.g. making them stronger by distributing some of the current Force playing list between them) and
• the present Western Force players (on to CentreLink benefits, mostly).

But what about us, the members who have stuck with the Force through thick and thin (mostly thin) for the past 12 years?

I've not read anything about what will happen to the existing Force membership and supporter base if/when the Force is killed off.

If the Force gets obliterated, then is there a quid pro quo planned for the current membership of the Western Force or is the finger all that we can expect to get from the ARU and their parochial masters in the NSWRU?

[BLR]

I think it is expected we will choose a new Super Rugby team & support the Wallabies.

There is a blindness to the fact most fans in the regions where a team will be cut will be lost to the game for good out of spite and anger.

You'd hope the ARU would be competant enough to take grassroots impact into account.

[FingerTips]

I think it is expected we will choose a new Super Rugby team & support the Wallabies.

Perhaps the Rebels or the Brumbies may look at offering something like the Rabbitohs Western Australia Membership, where attendance at one game at nib costs $125 per seat?

A lot of us may indeed look to other codes out of spite and anger.

There's no substitute for being a member or supporter of a playing club that you can identity with and get involved with on a regular basis - one game wonders like the South Sydney WA membership do not cut it.

[Ralto]

[QUOTE
But what about us, the members who have stuck with the Force through thick and thin (mostly thin) for the past 12 years?
[/QUOTE]

You might have to ....shock horror..... go to a local match - there I said it. Or is this another April Fool's Day jape.?

[FingerTips]

You might have to ....shock horror..... go to a local match - there I said it. Or is this another April Fool's Day jape.?

After reading the internecine warfare that goes on in this forum about local rugby, I think I'll give it a miss, thanks all the same.

[Ralto]

After reading the internecine warfare that goes on in this forum about local rugby, I think I'll give it a miss, thanks all the same.

Yeh, I spose there's none of that muck raking, name calling, petty jealousy, and catiness in the super rugby "family" eh?

[FingerTips]

Yeh, I spose there's none of that muck raking, name calling, petty jealousy, and catiness in the super rugby "family" eh?

I can say with absolute certainty that everyone who posts on this forum has only positive thoughts about the ARU, that to a man (and woman) we have unwavering confidence in the ability of the ARU to make decisions which are in the best interests of all of the rugby community in Australia and that we unanimously and strenuously reject any and all accusations that the wise men who run the ARU are short-sighted, parochial, arrogant, Sydney-centric, elitist sh*theads who are governing rugby in Australia on behalf of and for the sole benefit of their North Shore based masters in the NSWRU ...

[Alison]

Complete and utter certainty Fingertips!

[sloppy]

The game doesnt owe you a thing. You can get on with your life or wallow in self pity.

[BLR]

The game doesnt owe you a thing. You can get on with your life or wallow in self pity.

I will wallow and I will wallow well!

[PJ43]

I'll go back to supporting Collingwood in the AFL.....

But that will be AFTER I buy some shares in the Force and go to every home game remaining.

I haven't given up yet!

[Leo86]

I'll go back to supporting Collingwood in the AFL.....

But that will be AFTER I buy some shares in the Force and go to every home game remaining.

I haven't given up yet!

I dont know if i could thumbs up this...

Im 100% behind your 2nd and 3rd line