I wrote previously about the catalogue of disastrous decisions the board and management of the Western Force have made since the club’s inception. These decisions resulted in player losses, which led to poor performance, then declining crowds and the eventual take over by the ARU.
I hoped that, with the ARU running the show, changes would be made in the best interests of the players and the long-suffering supporters. How wrong I was.
The first decision the ARU made was to sack Michael Foley, a coach that, according to what anyone says, was at least well-liked and respected by all the players. Was he the best coach going around? No, but he did manage to turn a number of good players into players good enough to represent their countries.
He never had the cattle to form a competitive side and, on balance, did the best he could.
However, to its supporters, the decision was a brave step. It signalled that good was not good enough and we assumed a top-line coach would be paid whatever was required to turn the Force in to a competitive side; something along the lines of Paul Roos’ appointment to Melbourne in the AFL.
But yesterday we heard the news that little-known Dave Wessels has been appointed. I actually had to Google him to confirm the spelling of his name.
Now Dave, I’m sure, is a nice guy, but is very inexperienced, has not played rugby at the highest level, has never been a senior coach and his only Super Rugby experience is his involvement with the Western Force.
In short, he’s everything we did not need
No sooner had the ink dried on his contract than our brightest star, Kyle Godwin, was out the door. Wait for the next resignation – who I’d bet on being Matt Hodgson – and the complete collapse of this side will be complete.
Why has the ARU done this?
Bakkies
Guest
Giteau was never a Force product he went there for the money
Bakkies
Guest
'Selfishly I would be happy to see the back of the Brumbies and or the Raiders because then we would realise our own real footy team' Real Footy? What's that?
Cadfael
Roar Guru
The major issue for the Force has been their developing players and then losing them to the eastern states with pocock and Giteau being the biggest. They have now lost local product Kyle Godwin to the east. I would have preferred the Force to stay in Perth but now it seems the only way they are going to survive and be competitive is to move. Whether it is to North Queensland or western Sydney is something to be decided on. Perhaps play a few home games in Perth, especially against the SA teams.
This is serious Mumm
Guest
Correct TWAS. Rugby is a professional game seemingly run by amateurs at the ARU level. To my thinking marketing is what is needed. This can be done in very subtle but cost effective ways. it beggars belief that the local ABC news in Tasmania rarely reports on the Wallaby tests, despite my complaints to it. But the ARU appears to have a media department that sits on its hands. Similarly when was the last time you saw a Wallaby's bumper sticker? In NZ AB's gear is very easy to obtain and you see far more AB stickers in Australia than Ozzy ones. Want to sell a product? Get it in people's faces as much as possible and educate them about its merits.
Bakkies
Guest
'I think JOC and Pocock would have walked into the Reds team if the Force wasn’t around. ' Not at 17. As promising as Pocock was at the time, David Croft was the starting 7 and he was a Reds favourite.
James P
Guest
O'Connor was born in Queensland. His parents were born in NZ and he lived for 5 years in NZ. His first test was against Italy (actually his first 4 tests were against Italy) at the end of 2008. His first match for the force was against the reds in week 10 of the 2008 season. He left the Force after 3 seasons. Pocock had his first test against NZ in Hong Kong at the end of 2008 (1 test before O'Connor). His debut for the Force was in their last game of 2006 in their first season. He left the Force in 2013 after 7 seasons. So no. Both players were not part of the Wallabies before they played for the Force and although both had high wraps about them, I don't think that they would have been on big money.
markie362
Guest
What about zac guilford the kiwi system didnt fix him up
Blackjack
Guest
I think JOC and Pocock would have walked into the Reds team if the Force wasn't around. The Force simply paid more money than the Reds for these guys. Remember the Reds were financially struggling when they left school to go the force.
Bakkies
Guest
Exactly. They would be in it like flies to s..t
Neither did Pieter de Villiers.' It only proves that in SA rugby it doesn't ever make any sense.
Bakkies
Guest
Jake White got the Springboks job and he was never head coach at Currie Cup and/or Super Rugby level
Bakkies
Guest
Those three coaches had to adapt by learning about attacking Rugby which happened on the job. Link's Tarts weren't know for their attacking play but he encouraged it at the Reds and Wallabies with the right help
Bakkies
Guest
I assume you mean Steve Lansdown? He already is putting money in to Bristol
Bakkies
Guest
'no JOC and Pocock had already made the WBs when they transferred to the force for big money. and how long were they loyal to force?' Nope. They both had Force contracts at 17. They were never in the Reds or the Wallabies
Bakkies
Guest
Getting rid of the most successful team makes a lot of sense......
Bakkies
Guest
Exactly sick of this tripe that is generated by the Sydney press. If it's not the Force it was the move the Brumbies to Melbourne rubbish that was published over 10 years ago
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Your last statement is definitely true Garth and it's at the core of the issue. Australian rugby cannot 'win' until it SR expansion franchises have proved their worth by progressing (at least) to the playoffs. Players want to see some silverware during the course of their careers, if they don't they'll look for opportunities to do it at a better club. Interesting parallel with the NFL. Since 1995 the NFL has introduced four expansion teams - the Panthers in Carolina, Jaguars in Jacksonville, Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans. The Panthers had had 9 winning seasons out of 21 and advanced the playoffs on 7 occasions. Gone to the Superbowl twice. Jaguars 9 winning seasons out of 21, six playoff appearances. Even the Texans have enjoyed three playoff appearances since they were established in 2005, while the Ravens have won two Superbowls since they were relocated from Cleveland in 1999. So the question is, why has the NFL been so much more successful at creating the conditions for the expansion teams to win than the ARU? What is the time-frame for the Rebels and Force to start winning? Until that happens both franchises will unfortunately lack credibility.
Republican
Guest
........success breeds contempt.
Republican
Guest
Lets look at this through a holistic lense Kirky by posing whether or not NZ sport owes Australia anything at all? With respect, I reckon it may when you consider the domestic leagues you have access to and this as a sovereign nation. I know, ours was not a benevolent or altruistic gesture but purely commercially motivated - maybe it was or maybe it wasn't. NZ could well reciprocate by affording us membership of their coveted NPC but I acknowledge that may be a bridge to far.
Republican
Guest
......yeah that is a good point you make and a bit of a Brumbies cultural trait perhaps?