If the Australian Rugby Union want to kill the Western Force, they are going to have to defeat the riches of mining magnate Andrew Forrest first.
The Force’s bid for survival received a massive boost on Saturday when Forrest pledged to do everything within his powers to help the Perth-based franchise avoid the chop.
Forrest, the chairman of Fortescue Metals, is valued at $4.5 billion according to Forbes.
And he has a history of bankrolling causes close to his heart.
Earlier this year, Forrest revealed he would donate $400 million to charity.
Now, the Australian philanthropist has added ‘saving the Force’ to his to-do list.
The ARU will axe either the Rebels or Force ahead of next season.
Rebels owner Andrew Cox has previously stated he won’t sell the licence if it means it will be immediately closed down.
But with Cox losing millions, rumours are circulating he is still in negotiations with the ARU about selling the licence back.
The Force have enjoyed widespread community support since news broke the franchise was on the chopping block.
And with Forrest’s deep pockets now in their corner, the Force have plenty of ammunition in their bid to stave off extinction.
The ARU and Force will head to arbitration in the week beginning July 31.
Forrest addressed the Force player group immediately after Saturday night’s 40-11 win over the Waratahs, assuring them the franchise will survive.
“Be assured that surviving is not the issue. You will survive, and you will win,” Forrest said.
Force coach Dave Wessels said it was a momentous occasion for the club.
“To have somebody of his stature come into the circle and basically tell the team he’s going to throw his weight behind us and wants to see us remain in WA, it was a pretty special moment,” Wessels said.
“He said he’s in behind us, and whatever we need, he’s going to make sure we get it.”
Retiring veteran Matt Hodgson enjoyed the perfect send-off on Saturday night, scoring a try and a last-minute penalty in his side’s five-tries-to-one demolition of the Waratahs.
“If I could write a script, I would pretty much write it that way,” Hodgson said.
Bakkies
Guest
The Rebels could have opted to close down if the business wasn't sustainable
Bakkies
Guest
Kings and Cheetahs are going to the Pro 12 meeting and announcement tomorrow
sittingbison
Roar Pro
Sooo...."grassroots" doesn't equate to Shite Shield? This debacle won't benefit any Super team, not even the Tahrds. The "savings" is a red herring. The only thing hilarious with this travesty and tragedy is you filling this forum with thousands of posts defending the ineptitude of the ARU. Thus the now confirmed suspicions you are a paid ARU schill
sittingbison
Roar Pro
So.....$30 million then?
sittingbison
Roar Pro
It's what he has already COST that has "bankrupted" the ARU, not what he is going to sue for
sittingbison
Roar Pro
Hamstrung by ARU since day 1 check System designed to keep Force bottom of Aus conference check
md
Guest
Merge the Rebels and the Force. Base them in Perth. Make the Force play 2 home games against non Australian teams per year in Melbourne. Any home finals they qualify for are in Perth. Every other Australian team must play their "home" games against the Force in Melbourne. That means Perth will get 6 home games and Melbourne will get 5 home games (assuming 18 rounds). Perth and Melbourne both get to host higher profile Australian conference games and a couple of non Aus sides each. Brumbies, Tahs and Reds give up a home game for the good of Rugby and for the privilege of surviving.
Jock Cornet
Guest
Rebels are costing millions and got the spoon. No interest down their. They have to go. Rebels one win wonders . GGOONNNEEE
MitchO
Guest
I understand the concern but Twiggy has been around long enough in people management. He personally went to the players and promised he'd help. Sure he did it in a really public manner at the last minute. But be a cold miscalculating billionaire who fronted the players and promised to help and then didn't. It is a promise he can afford to keep even if it just slipped out in the heat of the moment. His self respect is worth $10 million just like mine is worth at least a good carton of beer. It is entirely possible that he just got caught up in the emotion and at that last game, snapped and decided to get fully involved. And I reckon Sinderberry and all the crew have been working on him since day dot trying to wear him down. He knows he's a big knob and it makes him feel good to help WA. He has a company which can get some tax deductions for sponsorship, it may not cost him that much money for a lot of good will both in WA and overseas. "Owning" a super rugby club will probably get him a drink at a few places around the world that owning a mining company won't. Bailing out the force will get him a lot more respect in rugby circles than being a mining billionaire. Twiggy is a self made billionaire so love him or not he is a man of substance. The best basketball franchise in Australia is the Perth Wildcats and if it wasn't for Jack Bendat being prepared to bleed money for love it would not have kept going. The Jayco guy (Gerry Ryan) is the big daddy of Australian cycling. Has helped an amazing amount of people. Twiggy could grab this and make it work.
piru
Roar Rookie
I'm pretty left myself and I like to think if I was worth $5b I'd spread it around
piru
Roar Rookie
jeff - never made a constructive comment check
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
That's a very good point Piru. I'm a pretty liberal/left person. It frustrates me to no end the amount of people that get caught up in a Paul Murray Live facebook post sensationally talking about the top 30% paying the majority of tax without considering that this is what maintains the status quo and ensures there is consumers to maintain their incomes.
piru
Roar Rookie
Well they make their wealth off the back of the state, only fair that they contribute. Twiggy is a good man, West Australian of the year in fact
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Again a complete lie. The Rebels have not cost Australian rugby $28M.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No they wouldn't have. They were only able to make a cut this year when all SANZAAR partners and broadcasters agreed to do so. This has been the only opportunity they have ever had to cut a team since the introduction of a new team. It's hilarious that you think the current administration which has done more than any other to try and wrestle control away from Sydney is doing this all for the benefit of Sydney clubs is ludicrous.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I'm absolutely not suggesting anything should be turned down. If Forrest is willing to put his hip pocket on the line and guarantee a sum that removes any risk on the Force until 2020 then it is an excellent result. I skeptical of what Forrest is actually going to do, or contractually agree to.
sittingbison
Guest
What you have consistently failed to realise... Or more likely hidden... Is that it has NEVER been about the money. Greatest con ever. If it was about money the rebels would have been ditched when the first owner racked up the centre then racked off. This entire debacle is the about whats good for Sydney clubs not the game nationally. The Force to go, then the rebels will fold when the ARU doesn't cover Cox's debts next year. Voila mission accomplished. Brumbies were never considered, that was a sop to cover the real agenda. The rebels are privately owned and were told by the ARU pitbull they were safe.
Jacko
Guest
TWAS the Cynic does seem to be a big part of you in this matter. Why are you wanting to turn down a lifeboat just because it came along later than you wanted it to? To me people like Forrest dont just jump in and give away millions...they assess weather there is real fight in the cause and will only help if they are helping genuine belief rather than just hope for a handout.
sittingbison
Guest
As a foundation member Forrest set up and financed the Force 15 foundation which has been contributing to the development of the game in WA since 2007 Both private owners of the rebels have cost Aus rugby around $28m outside the normal payments The only one here who is pathetic is you. Back in your box paid ARU schill
Republican
Guest
.........this is culturally very Wassie, being bailed by a billionaire..........