ARU CEO Bill Pulver is set to quit his position following today’s announcement that the Western Force will be cut from the Super Rugby competition.
Pulver will remain in his position until the board finds a replacement, then, he will step down.
“Incredibly tough decision to terminate the Western Force license from the 2018 Super Rugby season,” Pulver said.
“I’d like to acknowledge Matt Hodgson, Mark Sinderberry and the entire WA Rugby community for all of their commitment and hard work.
“I have made the decision to step down as CEO once the board finds someone to replace the position.
“It’s been a tough year for Rugby. It’s a good time for a renewed leadership. A clean state. A new generation of Rugby.
“I have enormous sympathy for everyone in WA. Simply, this is the right decision for Super Rugby. We need to get the balance right.
“I am very very sorry for all the people affected by this in WA.
“Sports is a difficult business and we have had a difficult year. This means it is the right time for me to step down and create renewal.
“We will do the utmost to form the right relationships to continue the development in WA.
“All contracted players will have their contracts honoured.
“We did an exhaustive analysis, and at the end of the day the decision to cut the Force came down to the financial and performance aspects.
“Teams like the Wallaroos and community rugby are not getting the support they need. We need to give them more financial support.
“We need to support the areas of the game that are growing, they deserve much more.
“It’s been a great privilege being the CEO of Australian Rugby Union.”
The decision comes after a months-long saga in which Pulver and the ARU have ummed and ahhed over whether to cut the Force or the Melbourne Rebels to reduce the number of Super Rugby sides in Australia.
It was announced as far back as April that the Australian Super Rugby contingent would be reduced to four teams ahead of 2018, and at the time it was said that a decision on which team to cut would be made in a matter of days.
Instead, it has taken months, and the final decision has prompted extensive fan outrage as many believe that the Melbourne Rebels instead should have been removed from the competition.
Mitcher
Guest
Yet broadly generalising a city of millions is progressive thinking. I think I'm getting the hang of this.
jusy
Guest
Rugby in Australia is losing massive traction. A fundamental issue is the complete lack of exposure on tv. NRL, AFL, Netball, Football and cricket are all accessible on free to air. The only rugby on fta is 3-4 international games each year. If the ARU wanted to get more fans they would negotiate a deal with fox and a tv network in addition to having an app similar to the NRL/AFL app. How can you gain new fans to rugby when they have to pay to see it on fox. In my mind its poor leadership that the ARU assumes that all fans can afford Foxtel or go to the pub if they want to watch a game. In fact at my local they don't play the rugby games as the NRL is always on. The board needs to change their thinking and look at how the other codes are operating...
Mothy
Guest
Most disingenuous load of claptrap! They don't care about WA they are not in anyway going to assist west aussie they are just going to pick the carcass and scrounge for WA players they want to play over east. They will do even less for WA fans. Their verbal diarrhoea is astonishing! Absolute disgrace! F@#k You ARU!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Nothing about the failures of the management of all 5 franchises?
Lostintokyo
Guest
Wrong decision. ARU board should be sacked or resign due to failure. The farce behind "we should remove the Force to enable investment in other "development areas" is admitting the failure of the ARU to make sound strategic decisions. And the NZRU has shot them selves in the foot by pushing this strategic nonsense. Shame. Rugby in Australia is in dire trouble. But the game will survive.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
And dont bother displaying your arrogance by claiming a severance payment... remember you volunteered to resign... wait your from sydney aren't you....
stagman
Guest
As long as it not someone from NSW, then at least theirs hope for a national game. Just seen Tim Horan on Fox Sport talking about this and he said Pulver has done a good job - turning the ARU around and developing grass roots rugby.............WHAT A COMPLETE LOAD OF BS!!! Another great player, now in the ARU pig pen and cash trough.
Ex force fan
Guest
Famous Pulver February 2013, on his first visit to Perth after his appointment. “No chance in the world that there will not be a Western Force. “We are 150 per cent committed to the franchises that we have. The future development of rugby, unquestionably in my mind, will involve the Perth team. “The five franchises are non-negotiable. I don’t think I can make that any clearer. It is crystal clear in my mind there will always be five franchises.” March 2016, after talks with RugbyWA and the State Government. “I would be very confident in telling you that the Western Force are going to be a successful part of the Perth sporting scene for a long, long time. “I still am very much a supporter of a national footprint for Super Rugby and you do not want to do anything that’s going to have any negative on the local community engagement.” November 2016, on the Own The Force scheme to buy back their license from the ARU and become financially independent. “If our Super Rugby clubs were put in a fundamentally stronger position financially, that would influence the decision. The dialogue that’s going on out west is incredibly relevant.”
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Don't know honestly mate. I feel so let down.
Ex force fan
Guest
Pulver's quotes: February 2013, on his first visit to Perth after his appointment. “No chance in the world that there will not be a Western Force. “We are 150 per cent committed to the franchises that we have. The future development of rugby, unquestionably in my mind, will involve the Perth team. “The five franchises are non-negotiable. I don’t think I can make that any clearer. It is crystal clear in my mind there will always be five franchises.” March 2016, after talks with RugbyWA and the State Government. “I would be very confident in telling you that the Western Force are going to be a successful part of the Perth sporting scene for a long, long time. “I still am very much a supporter of a national footprint for Super Rugby and you do not want to do anything that’s going to have any negative on the local community engagement.” November 2016, on the Own The Force scheme to buy back their license from the ARU and become financially independent. “If our Super Rugby clubs were put in a fundamentally stronger position financially, that would influence the decision. The dialogue that’s going on out west is incredibly relevant.” Traitor!
Waz
Guest
Enter David Gallop
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
yea f..off pulver..
Vo
Guest
Well may we say ‘God save the Queen’, because nothing will save BIll Pulver Not a day too soon, off with his head
wag
Guest
Exactly my thoughts and position, Nigel
Digs
Guest
After overseeing the complete destruction of value and good will in rugby in Australia and the complete trashing of a brand, Pulver isn't the only one that should go. The entire board and management of the ARU should take some responsibility for their incompetence and resign.
ads2600
Guest
Tell me again how SARU did what was required? They whinged & moaned for a 6th team & then did a runner as as soon as things went wrong. They couldn't admit they were wrong, & help their partners fix this comp, instead sending two teams to another comp to help line their own pockets. Way to say thanks to the ARU & NZRFU.
Who would want his job right now?
Guest
Pulver was always going to step down (the man is useless) but the question I raise is: Who exactly would want the top job with Australian rugby in tatters at every level? No doubt it'll be someone with ties to the Waratahs. Dean Mumms dad will surely step up, or, Dean Mumm himself! Rugby God's help us!
Cadfael
Roar Guru
But unlike us, they are in the right time zone to do this.
DrGeorge
Roar Rookie
Good f'n riddance!
kkovak
Guest
Agree what you said about Rugby but people like George Gregan changed that when he was at the Brumbies , it was him and his fellow team mates who changed Rugby forever in this country , they decided that they were more important individually than the game . Reflected in all the east coast states , the wallaby performance etc