Western Force 2017
- Thread starter RugbyReg
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Wouldn't read much into it at this stage. There's a fair bit to happen before any announcement.
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NTT
Guest
Well what else does the Force have to do? They are on the verge of finalizing an injection of $6.5 million into the coffers to alleviate the extra funding from the ARU alliance agreement, which by the way ensures the ARU must advocate for the survival of the franchise until 2020. If the agreement is broken i think you can expect a long and costly legal battle between the ARU and RugbyWA which surely both parties want to avoid. We have WA grown players coming through the system adding depth to the playing stocks in Australia. We have a vibrant and ever growing and passionate local rugby community. We have been closer than the Rebels to making the finals even though we have had nowhere near the extra funding the Rebels have received. We have the support of the WA government through sponsorship and the $100 million upgrades of NIB and RugbyWA headquarters. We provide an extra timezone for the broadcasters. Apart from onfield results, which fluctuate for every team, what more can be done?
What else do they have to do? The speculation surrounding this is ridiculous. All because some arrogant out of touch journalists want to stir some shit. Are you really that surprised that we despise the Sydney media? You shouldn't be. They have been trying to destabilize and destroy the Force since its inception. It pisses them off we are still around and will be around for many years to come. Force all day!
What else do they have to do? The speculation surrounding this is ridiculous. All because some arrogant out of touch journalists want to stir some shit. Are you really that surprised that we despise the Sydney media? You shouldn't be. They have been trying to destabilize and destroy the Force since its inception. It pisses them off we are still around and will be around for many years to come. Force all day!
dru
Tim Horan (67)
I can't tell you just how happy that I am that this criteria was not applied during the Reds RG era.
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
Ah, Reg, so the Brumbies are safe by that criterion. Now I can rest easy.
what makes you say that? You're last title was in 2004! 13 years ago.
The finals appearances since then do somewhat help though.
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
The finals appearances were precisely what caused me to say that.
dru
Tim Horan (67)
I suspect that national coverage and commercial bone fides will top any list of considerations. Field performance must enter the equation, simply because there must politically be a metric that locks in Qld and NSW.
I honestly see the Force, playing their cards right, not on the chopping list.
The genie is out of the bottle, I think 5 is the only answer - whether or not it is 'right'. There will be similar escaped genies in SA whivh will include the Kings and two home finals.
Any result that works in Aus will need more than "mediation" skills.
Force Fans, DO get to the games. Do what you can for commercial stability. It's far from decreed.
I honestly see the Force, playing their cards right, not on the chopping list.
The genie is out of the bottle, I think 5 is the only answer - whether or not it is 'right'. There will be similar escaped genies in SA whivh will include the Kings and two home finals.
Any result that works in Aus will need more than "mediation" skills.
Force Fans, DO get to the games. Do what you can for commercial stability. It's far from decreed.
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
I am just struggling with why are only recent expansion to 18 teams in Super Rugby why they would then cut teams as always takes time to bed down new things and feels kneejerk reaction where would be better before resort to such a drastic option that a) tinker with conference format and who is in each conference b) tinker with general format/product (as these days you can't just keep your product static but got to constantly evolve it to ensure relevant).
Cutting any Oz team would be major step backwards given contribution each make. Rebels privately owned so off the radar, whilst would you really cut the Brumbies given success they have had and that leaves Force which has made great inroads in developing local products into Wallabies and inroads into market outside of East Coast of Australia where league has no presence at a professional level. If Force exited, you can bet league would swoop and establish a NRL team in the west to fill the void. Whilst recent initiative to raise funds shows they are showing financial innovation at its best. BTW where is that at? Have they issued shares and raised the $5m (I think that was the figure).
From a long term planning perspective if ARU supported cutting a team that would show to me they have NFI in terms of long term strategic planning to grow and protect the game in this country.
Cutting any Oz team would be major step backwards given contribution each make. Rebels privately owned so off the radar, whilst would you really cut the Brumbies given success they have had and that leaves Force which has made great inroads in developing local products into Wallabies and inroads into market outside of East Coast of Australia where league has no presence at a professional level. If Force exited, you can bet league would swoop and establish a NRL team in the west to fill the void. Whilst recent initiative to raise funds shows they are showing financial innovation at its best. BTW where is that at? Have they issued shares and raised the $5m (I think that was the figure).
From a long term planning perspective if ARU supported cutting a team that would show to me they have NFI in terms of long term strategic planning to grow and protect the game in this country.
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
With due respect about winning games....in fairness the Force have not operated under a level playing field.....starting to even up more with more wallabies which of course gives top up ARU central payments to retain high calibre players....
Better support for the Force only come in recent times with sponsor etc from WA Government department etc and ARU initiatives
Better support for the Force only come in recent times with sponsor etc from WA Government department etc and ARU initiatives
neilc
Bob Loudon (25)
I would really like to see the Force do well. They are building the local talent nicely and developing a pathway for WA players. Australian rugby needs to take a long term view of building the capability in the newer areas and provide the support to these teams, like the AFL has done. Yes the AFL has lots of money but their investment in development of grassroots in the newer areas like QLD has paid off and I would like to see the ARU doing similar things with more development staff, free tickets to Super Rugby games for junior club players etc.
Good news and it's case where a player left in his younger years to scratch the itch to go, and returned for his older years.
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Moono75
Guest
Some talk of having the Force share prospectus ready for the first home game. Would make sense.
Shaker
Ron Walden (29)
I got the backline right, way off with the forwards though.
N
NTT
Guest
Loving the black and gold jersey! Some of the white playing strips we wore were horrible and had no real connection to our state colours.
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NTT
Guest
So by that standard all of Australias teams should be on the chopping block considering last years results and crowd figures.
The ARU and NZRU need to take back control of SAANZAR and tell the South Africans to fall in line or get stuffed. Bringing in Argentina has been a disaster and the Sunwolves were an after thought, thank you South Africa. I doubt the ARU has the balls to make such a stand though even though it would be in Australias interests to do so.
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