The Western Force’s bid for Super Rugby survival has received a massive boost, with billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest pledging he will do whatever he can to ensure the Perth-based franchise isn’t axed.
Either the Force or Melbourne Rebels will be axed by the ARU ahead of next season.
Forrest was front and centre as he addressed the Force player group on the field after Saturday night’s 40-11 demolition of the NSW Waratahs.
He told Force players they have nothing to worry about.
Forrest’s billions are a huge boost for the Force, who are growing increasingly confident they won’t be the team to be axed.
And if the ARU do try to axe the Force, Forrest’s fortunes could potentially help bankroll any legal action.
Earlier this year, Forrest revealed he would donate $400 million to charity.
With Forrest joining the Force’s fight, the pressure will shift to the Melbourne Rebels.
Rebels owner Andrew Cox has previously stated he won’t sell the licence if it means it will be immediately closed down.
John R
Roar Guru
Mate - half a million will barely get you avocado on toast in Collingwood anymore! Not sure how many toothless folks are there these days! lol!
sittingbison
Roar Pro
Dealing with reality would be cutting the Rebels as unfinancial or the Brumbies as restricted growth
sittingbison
Roar Pro
Apologist for or paid schill of ARU....check
gatesy
Roar Guru
...getting interesting . you could set up a rival conference, with some Sth Pacific teams or find some other solution - set up a rival comp - who knows? - - it may not come down to legal action, rather a way to keep the Force alive until the next round of broadcast rights are bankrolled
John R
Roar Guru
You talk to your son about personal arguments you have on the internet?
piru
Roar Rookie
No doubt. The facilities in Perth are pretty awesome - I can't say how it compares - I haven't been to Collingwood as I have all my teeth and don't want to upset the locals
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I think Sports Science has a pretty significant crossover in the football codes...
piru
Roar Rookie
They're also an AFL team, not sure how a dance studio and man bun maintenance area has any relation to rugby
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
They have pretty good facilities. To be state of the art surely it would need to be comparable.
piru
Roar Rookie
Stop being churlish TWAS What have Collingwood got to do with anything?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Competitive – 2nd in the Australian Conference, same no of wins as the 1st place team, Check 12th overall is hardly "competitive". Rugby Union growing in the state, Check That's based on having a smaller base. Therefore a few more numbers is big % growth. Producing Wallabies, Check So the same as every team? Financially secure: “Own the Force” has over $5 million in the bank • Twiggy Forest has $5.7 Billion dollars and has promised “whatever it takes”. Check A capital injection does not just ensure the safety of an orgnisation that has not posted a profit for over 5 years. Plus doesn't $4M have to go to buy back their licence? Forrest's net worth is irrelevant. What he is actually willing to agree to do is. We have no idea of what that is as yet. • WA Government support. Check What government support? State of the Art facilities, Check Define state of the art? How does it compare to Collingwood's Holden Center?
rugby7
Guest
I have held a long-term opinion that what Australian Rugby needs, particularly in the less fashionable Rugby-playing States, is adequate free-to-air television coverage. All too few people in South Australia, and I suspect also in the West and the hugely -populated Victoria, even know Rugby is played in their States. If free-to-air coverage on TV gave even one tenth of the media-flooding of AFL (which in SA fills the Adelaide Oval every week, and therefore does not need the constant bolstering), then more people would become interested, and I believe involved, in our great sport. Rugby has been constantly played in SA since 1933, but the Union is now decreasing in size. (I might also add that this should apply to Hockey as well. After all, at both of our sports Australia has been World Champions and Olympic Gold Medallists, and the sports DESERVE some fair coverage!)
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Isn't Papworth busy sending Eastwood broke?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Piru surely backing WA would be enough you'd think. But backing WA after a team has been decided to be cut is different to doing so and preventing a team from needing to be cut.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
In fairness that isn't hard around here Boomeranga.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yep. Billionaires always care about the grassroots...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No. The reality is we are cutting to five according to the ARU and SANZAAR. I've never strove for 5 actually. I was always the opposite in fact. Now it's about dealing with reality.
Jock Cornet
Guest
Twiggie. You don't have to do much. I'd have Brett Papworth or Nick Farr Jones.
sittingbison
Guest
Most fans ...except you...want #stongerasfive Most Force fans don't want rebels to fold, however when pressed point out the vast sums ARU have wasted on that franchise....because they are sick and tired of being tahd with the the brush. You however consistently strive for four teams....as long as it's not Rebels being cut. Paid schill
sittingbison
Guest
Delusional...or a paid schill I vote for latter