I am somewhat bemused (not amused in any way) at the angst that has so suddenly erupted over the last few months and is now reaching Vesuvius type levels.
Quite a number of posters have been banging on about reform of management, the lack of real accountability, integrity in process and serious questions about conflicts of interest on the board and we were roundly criticised and castigated. This situation and what will happen over the next few years to the remaining teams has been a slowly emerging train wreck that was predictable but too many people were blinded by loyalties and emotion to see it coming. Today we have so many passionate Force fans feeling betrayed and somewhat lost because of this decision. It is understandable, but really it is not a great loss, the competition itself is already in its death throes and the Force have perhaps been culled a bit earlier than the rest of the Australian sides. It will be hard to say if the lack of crowds at Wallabies games this year will be due to the disdain for the ARU or because of the shite Rugby they have provided since 2015, which was a bright light in a sea of mediocrity.
For me the only way forward would have been a merging of the Rebels and Brumbies, a dissolution of the ARU and state Unions, removal of RUPA from any position on the board/replacement body except as an advisory/consultative role and crucially after 2020 moving away from Super Rugby altogether be it as a Trans Tasman comp or a south pacific competition.
The opportunity is passing and a continuation of Super Rugby as it is will see the Rebels and Brumbies fold followed by the Tahs and Reds and ARU. It is sad but perhaps if that ultimate breakdown happens we can actually build a new model that will be sustainable and actually grow the game.