RugbyWA says it has issued legal proceedings against the Australian Rugby Union as the axe hovers over the embattled Western Force Super franchise.
After what it described as an “unsatisfactory meeting” with the ARU on Monday, the RugbyWA board issued a statement saying the peak body had “failed to address the responsibilities that exist in the Alliance Agreement between RugbyWA and the ARU”.
“… We felt in order to protect our position it was necessary to issue legal proceedings to protect our rights under the Alliance Agreement,” the statement explained.
The RugbyWA board said that the terms of the assessment and process being used to evaluate the Force and the Rebels were “inconsistent and inequitable”.
Super Rugby’s governing body SANZAAR had handed down an edict on Sunday that one Australian and two South African teams would be cut from the competition for 2018.
It was up to the ARU to determine which Australian franchise would go – the Force and Melbourne Rebels the two in the firing line.
The ARU said earlier on Monday that a final decision on which team would be cut was to be made in the next two-to-three days but RugbyWA inferred it would take some time more than that.
“Initially we had particular concerns about the 72-hour deadline to respond (to the ARU), however we have now been advised that we will have further time to present our business case,” the RugbyWA statement said.
RugbyWA encouraged people to get behind their ‘Own the Force’ campaign to “strengthen our negotiating position with the Australian Rugby Union to ultimately secure the … Western Force in Perth.
“We urge all supporters who pledged their commitment to now consider becoming a shareholder of the Western Force Owners Ltd.
“In the meantime, we will work with our partners, staff and Government to develop the best possible business case to take to the ARU.”
graham taylor
Guest
Hi, ladies and gentlemen your ARU sounds like our one brain cell WRU. we also have a similar situation in Wales with the Newport Gwent Dragons RFC and the WRU, who want to buy the pitch the dragons play on and NEWPORT RFC play on and shut everything down in 3 seasons time. looks Like your ARU are looking at the same for one of your clubs. Maybe the club in question will be interested in our sponsorship offer to back up their biz plan, but surely you need more teams not less to look after the fringe international players, and the grass roots players who wont even bother in the first place as there is only a small number of top teams for them to aim for. we are in the process offering Newport Gwent dragons RFC a sponsorship that will make them the No 1 European rugby team in a matter of a couple of seasons.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I guess I'm just disappointed that this is the sort of thing used to create hysteria. People will jump on that and say they are planning to get rid of the Rebels in 2 years anyway for example.
piru
Roar Rookie
Bear in mind this is written for a Perth audience, and the West is not known for it's balance.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It's highly emotive. For example, this is written as a negative. They even had a model where the Rebels stay in the competition for two years before closing down with the ARU taking control. By god I'd hoped they have looked out all the conceivable potential outcomes of all scenarios. They would be remiss in their responsibility if they didn't consider the consequences of cutting the Force, and then the Rebels dissolving considering the financial state of all teams. I'd imagine they've also looked at what the outcome would be if they cut the Rebels and then the Force became insolvent.
piru
Roar Rookie
https://thewest.com.au/sport/western-force-slam-australian-rugby-unions-business-plan-ng-b88443885z “It’s the Force versus the Victorian Government and the Rebels are just a side show,”
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
But can you be sure of the viability of those 5 cases without seeing their contracts/agreements?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
They can have the greatest legal minds in the world. Doesn't mean they will win though. Given their position all we know is this is their only hope of survival.
Nobrain
Roar Guru
If I had a hedge fund I will buy Shares of WF.
Machpants
Roar Guru
So the ARU turned up and said ' sorry force but it's fait accompli' and the force went, 'no, it's not!' Bizarre way to run a union
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Oops. Despite being obviously more concerned with "business" than "sport" the ARU overlooked the small fact that the Rugby WA Board contains a number of eminent legal practitioners.
sittingbison
Guest
“failed to address the responsibilities that exist in the Alliance Agreement between RugbyWA and the ARU” So, the inept ARU forgot that little tidbit about guaranteeing Force participation until 2020 as part of the deal relinquishing the license. Jeebus can it get worse? Board must resign, ARU needs to fold and be replaced ala soccer
Rt
Guest
I can think of at least 5 causes of action for the force. The problem they have though is that the rebels have the same causes of action and private ownership means they would likely be more concerned with quantum of damages than continuity in the tournament.
Ruka
Guest
Last to come, first to go... The Force should stay