"Absolute disgrace": Rebels coach slams ARU

I would like to deflect the conversation slightly. Following on from Turinui's very poignant and valid comments about player and staff futures: What about Sean MacMahon? What about Dane Haylett-Petty? With an uncertain future, do you take a guaranteed position (most likely for more money) overseas or do you double down and back your team with a hope that Michael Cheika will pick you to play with his mates and the honor of a gold Jersey? Their Decision is difficult. But to other players not on Chieka's Sky Blue radar - it is a no-brainer. If your family life can handle it, take the money and run! I know it is un-Australian of me to think this way, if it wasn't a corporate run professional sport, I might have a different view, but it it is. The team you play for, including the Wallabies, is a franchise, not unlike Jim's Mowing, and they are your Employer. If they go under, you lose your job. The safe bet is to take an offer, any offer elsewhere Turinui believes that some have already accepted offers and predicts that the same is happening at the Force. At the risk of bringing old mate Adolf into the conversation, this is not dissimilar to how the Nazi's managed the local Jewish populations prior to WWII. By putting them in an unpleasant living situation the smarter and more prosperous left, those that remained suffered an awful, undignified demise. The ARU's propaganda (mismanagement) has triggered the creation of ghetto attrition, by the end of this year there won't be enough players left on the books to make 1 decent side, let alone 2. There won't even be bones left for remaining Australian franchises to pick clean. Between the 2 sides I predict that there is at least a dozen present and future Wallabies talents at risk of leaving, lost to the ages. Imagine Ed Quirke, Mafi and MacMahon playing back row for the Cherry Blossoms, Add Matt Philip and Adam Coleman in the Engine Room. Ryan Louwrens, Reece Hodge, Billy Meaks, Naivalu,Luke Morahan, DHP, Chance Peni in the back line. Add Ritchie Arnold, Hardwick, Stunder, Naisarani, Ross H-P, Timani, Reid, Faienga, Falkner, English, Inman, Stirzaker to the squad. This side may not beat the AB's or the Irish, but the rest of the would world stand up and take notice. It would easily beat the left over Wallabies. Why can't Australian sides beat their competition? - Reason #257 out of 500 - Talent Retention.

A complete and utter shambles how this has been handled. The argument about who should go is secondary at the moment, really feel for all those involved in both franchises. Livelihoods and families are impacted here which the ARU don't seem to give two Shites about. Pulver and the Board need to resign over this debacle, what a farce.

I Know Browny, that was said tongue in cheek. They beat them at home once as as well,not sure if it was the year before. I remember it well, Rebels were trailing at half time the odds were flashed on the big screen - 11.43 to 1 for a Rebels win. If I could I would have put a few on that one!!

Cam Shepherd didn't play for the Wallabies til after he came to the Force, I don't think Drew Mitchell did either (at least not regularly). Sharpe and Cannon were coups, definitely.

'Bakkies, is it just the Brumbies who can’t sign, or can the Tahs and Reds not sign either? Btw, please read my article on the WC draw, I think you misunderstood me when I said that Aus should be extremely comfortable with their draw.' Neither side which made the SMH spin story about Cronk Re the RWC draw that's completely irrelevant to this article and I was at work. Your arguments however deluded. That whole attitude saying Aus Rugby and the Wallabies should beat X and X and should be happy with this is one of the main reasons why this mess is in existence.

Nice one Piru. I still chuckle at people who think the choice will be based on on field performance. If it were, the Sunwolves wouldn't have been invited back. and the Tah's would be browning their trousers. It is all about ratings and expenses, Nothing more, Nothing less. Neither the Force nor the Rebels are in the black on this, and in my opinion axing either isn't going to solve the problem. The remaining side will be gone 2 years later. To quote superman's dad and the adopted Wallabies Slogan, "Stronger as one!"

No not really. The Force signed the likes of Brendan Cannon, Cameron Shepherd, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau and Nathan Sharpe in their first two seasons. There were a lot of press stories about Ben Tune and Clyde Rathbone. There were third party deals flying around. The ARU eventually put in a salary cap in to stop the Tarts and Force from hoovering players from the Brumbies (despite being the best team didn't have the third party market) and you would have to be a dope or a freshman to sign for the Reds back then. The ARU had money in those days. The Rebels were brought in when the ARU were bringing out the razor gang and at the tail end of a RWC cycle in the contract market. They also had a crook as a CEO

Oh look rebellion has something negative to say about the Force didn't see that coming

Rebellion, given I said 'I think', most people would notice that was an opinion. Of course it's hard to read with your head so far up your jacksie

Not every time, Wyn. 2015 the Rebels beat the 'Saders 20-10 in Christchurch. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-13/melbourne-rebels-record-historic-super-rugby-win-over-the-crusa/6094166 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNenTnO1XHA

So the conference system sucks and only 4 of the 5 NZ franchises will qualify, boo-hoo (btw, only one can win and that will be the best one). The Crusaders are going to thrash the Rebels like they have done every time the two teams have met. A very cynical friend always says the game was fixed when a top team loses to a bottom team. With the odds likely to be 20 to 1 or thereabouts, I'm tempted to give up coffee for the next few weeks and put that money on the Rebels ;)

Ex catholic and non molested alter boy (seems rare these days !) so as the great and now departed Father Sherry would say " We drink anything! "

JJ, just asked the barman for two or would you prefer something stronger.

I guess there's the argument of the main reason why a team is going to be axed; financial sustainability of the game by reducing SR running costs which allows the savings to be redistributed into grassroots. They were originally speculating that $6M would be saved and directed around the country for this. But what if the actual cost of removing a team is much higher? The rumoured 'buyout' cost has gone from $4.75M to $6M and is now up around $9M. At what point does it become cutting a team become too expensive? Especially if their respective governments (plus Own The Force, Elsom, etc) are going to support their respective clubs as they are alluding to. It's an interesting situation. I'm really curious to see what comes out of this upcoming EGM... will we see five teams and the heads of Pulver & Clyne or something much less impressive?...

Bakkies, it was said unofficially about 3 days ago in the wake of the McMahon to Japan speculation. Hard to know how true it is and it might have only come from inside the Melbourne camp, it's not exactly something that the ARU or other clubs would publicly state. But it certainly feels like something that could be the case, particularly when you consider how the ARU thought this thing would pan out (as opposed to how it's actually travelling). "...the Waratahs, Brumbies and Reds have been able to secure about 25 or 26 players for their 2018 roster and will now wait to top up their squads from whichever club the ARU chooses to axe." http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/sean-mcmahon-poised-to-quit-australia-for-stint-in-japan/news-story/56eacd254ec2d05d2c08745b4234b368

Scott, I take your word as your bond with regards to those figures. Remember though the rebels have barely been around really when you think about it. There are pros and cons for both teams to stay and go. As useless as the ARU are at times, I am sure that they have not come to this decision (culling a team) without it being the only realistic option in their eyes (in terms of moving Australian rugby forward). So bye bye rebels it is. We'll forgive you for slamming the door behind you

Piru, maybe because they thought they were safe. I think everybody did. There seems to be a lot more coming out now it looks like they are gonners. All very sad really but on the other hand we have seen big companies throughout the world contract in different sectors. I work for a bank which has seen hundreds of branch closures because we have been losing money hand over fist. Maybe it is a case of taking 2 steps back to take 3 forward but it wont make the pain any easier to take.

I agree what world do they live in? we don't perform we lose our jobs like anybody. they've had six years to stake a claim and have gone nowhere.

I think all clubs have been told to only sign up those who are already on Wallaby top up contracts - not certain but saw an article somewhere

maybe not but he has employed fairly standard business negotiating tactics so far. Making public statements that he won't sell and that the price isn't enough is always a good start to getting a better offer - and that is definitely a "fact"