Arbitration hearing - Western Force v ARU - 31.07.2017

[jono]

Ok, taking a step back and trying to be as dispassionate as possible - the decision was made on "primarily financial concerns"

We have 3 years left on the Road Safety deal, and we had hit the $5 mil target for OTF.
I'm not a lawyer but the financial security is good until 2021 - part this current broadcast contract.

Cant imagine this is over.

[Rugaree]

“This is a sad day for Rugby, especially for Western Force fans. We accept that there will be anger and resentment over this decision and we sympathise with those fans. We sincerely hope that they are not lost to the game forever.

“The decision to exit the Western Force from Super Rugby is not a decision to abandon the game in Western Australia.

“Western Australia will retain an important place in Australian Rugby and the ARU will continue to support youth development programs and the community game in the West. There will be a clear pathway for young Western Australian Rugby players to reach the highest level and represent the Wallabies.

“Our immediate concern is to support the individuals at the Western Force through these difficult circumstances and we will deploy various ARU management staff to Western Australia to provide assistance to all players and staff.”

What a bunch of twats, the soon they get booted out the better. Absolutely no connection with how things are on the ground

[LMSC]

http://nedlandsrugby.com.au/2017/08/...ng-gun-twiggy/


NOW FOR THE SMOKING GUN… AND TWIGGY
Well readers, unfortunately the bounce of the ball didn’t go RugbyWA’s way in the arbitration hearing with the ARU.
But that’s not the end of the road for the Force, not by any measure. Rather, it’s the trigger for Plan B.
Apart from an immediate Supreme Court appeal and/or injunction, your correspondent understands that RugbyWA will pursue two other legal avenues against the ARU to ensure the Force remains in Super Rugby.
The first is the smoking gun your columnist first revealed back on August 4. And that boils down to one very critical issue: Was anyone at the ARU aware of SANZAAR’s plans to axe an Australian Super Rugby team when the alliance agreement was signed with the Force in 2016? If so, surely the ARU couldn’t have signed that alliance agreement in good faith?
The other legal avenue being considered is even more explosive. Your correspondent understands that Andrew Forrest is in discussions with the WA Government to consider a circa $120 million claim against the ARU for the cost of refurbishing nib Stadium.
Things are hotting up. And you know what they say about people being in the kitchen when that happens.
As always, stay tuned…..

This has been known for awhile inside the circles. Can't forget that the ARU demanded ownership of the license when assistance was sought - which means unlike the other territories who have been given $100's of millions of the years, RWA/Force actually got nothing - they had to sell, which had never been asked of before (especially erroneous given the ARU PAID the private owner of the Rebels millions to keep that side afloat)

RWA has been gallant in this dealing, they have know the ARU's position was so tentative that if the spotlight was shone on it, the whole sport would explode.

They did the right thing, tried to talk, tried to reason but got nothing back.

To hold your fire against such a party - that has shown such arrogance, disrespect and contempt for facts, the law and due process - is no mean feet.

This is now about money. politics and state boarders.

[Alison]

If the fuckwits have killed off the licence, what's the point of the Supreme Court appeal? We can't buy back something that no longer exists. The only winners will be the lawyers.

[wallabydarnd]

So it really is us against everyone now- pressure on us to go away if we appeal
and if sue ARu no one will be on our side
Extending the delays planning etc will be a our fault
In meantime risk of leaking players& coach to rabble to settle their own uncertainties

[LMSC]

“Our immediate concern is to support the individuals at the Western Force through these difficult circumstances and we will deploy various ARU management staff to Western Australia to provide assistance to all players and staff.”

I'd been blown away if anyone inside RWA HQ lets/welcomes any ARU official through the doors.

[Swee_82]

Fairfax reporting a press conference at 5pm (Eastern?)

[blueandblack]

http://www.theroar.com.au/2017/08/11...u-2018-season/

"A press conference has been called by the ARU for this afternoon at 5pm, when Clyne and Bill Pulver will speak about the decision."


Probably the same rubbish as in the media statement.

[valzc]

This has been known for awhile inside the circles. Can't forget that the ARU demanded ownership of the license when assistance was sought - which means unlike the other territories who have been given $100's of millions of the years, RWA/Force actually got nothing - they had to sell, which had never been asked of before (especially erroneous given the ARU PAID the private owner of the Rebels millions to keep that side afloat)

RWA has been gallant in this dealing, they have know the ARU's position was so tentative that if the spotlight was shone on it, the whole sport would explode.

They did the right thing, tried to talk, tried to reason but got nothing back.

To hold your fire against such a party - that has shown such arrogance, disrespect and contempt for facts, the law and due process - is no mean feet.

This is now about money. politics and state boarders.

And that's what smells rotten - they were plotting this all along and trying to deny they hadn't plotted this before SANZARR is laughable. Trying to prove it though is gonna be a feat. But Fuckit - I'm not giving up!!

[jono]

If the fuckwits have killed off the licence, what's the point of the Supreme Court appeal? We can't buy back something that no longer exists. The only winners will be the lawyers.

If we file a supreme court challenge there will also be an injunction filed to prevent the cancellation of the licence

[jono]

There is also no way in hell i'm watching that press conference. I think i'd actually smash my TV

[LMSC]

You'll find the media start to really get into this now.

The likes of 4 Corners, 60 minutes, 7:30 - they would have been holding off until now. This story likely to be one of the biggest in Australian sport and could see those involved face very serious circumstances if what has been touted in the internal circles is true.

[yungfen]

Lest start/revive a secession movement our GST money goes to the East and now the East preventing us from having our own rugby team in Super Rugby!

[chibi]

Get Twiggy and Stokes and the rest to start up a new pro team playing somewhere else.

[agrugger]

You'll find the media start to really get into this now.

The likes of 4 Corners, 60 minutes, 7:30 - they would have been holding off until now. This story likely to be one of the biggest in Australian sport and could see those involved face very serious circumstances if what has been touted in the internal circles is true.

Why were the media holding off until now?