The ARU have confirmed that they will discontinue the license of the Western Force.
This is the worst possible outcome for Australian rugby.
Western Australia is great for rugby – they are producing great Super Rugby players and Wallabies, their own ones.
They’ve got terrific support from Twiggy Forrest, and they have a very passionate crowd.
This decision will only play into the fears of Western Australians that the eastern seaboard doesn’t care about them, and alienate them from the game.
It will kill the prospect of exciting growth for the sport in Western Australia.
Instead, the ARU should have made the decision to put an end to the Melbourne Rebels.
The Rebels, in a city and state obsessed with Australian rules football, have nothing going for them.
Look at the Melbourne Storm – despite being one of the most successful NRL teams with the best players going around, they have never been the dominant sporting team in Melbourne.
What hope, then, do the Melbourne Rebels have? They are not really creating players – they have produced only a handful of Wallabies, and haven’t made a genuine star. They’re not going to get a run in the media.
It seems like the ARU made the easiest decision on offer.
The long term ramifications for the growth of rugby are that Perth had the opportunity to become a great rugby city, but now that is not going to happen.
It is never going to happen in Melbourne either.
Phil jackson
Guest
2 teams in brisbane, 2 teams in Sydney and 1 in Canberra equals an uncomplicated reality. AFL is king everywhere else
Qwas
Guest
So putting this together we now have the East Coast Disunion run by f...wits. Are we all happy with that?
republican
Guest
........there will be the usual suspects attending, i.e. of expat Saffas & Kiwis. whats new.......?
republican
Guest
.........they probably will now.........
AndyS
Guest
If you do go along, you are telling them they are right and it will cost them nothing...
ScottD
Roar Guru
DON'T BOYCOTT THE TEST GAME!!!!!!! INSTEAD GO ALONG AND WEAR FORCE COLOURS. If you don't go then the ARU will claim justification due to "lack of support for rugby in Perth" Give them nothing to justify their stupidity
PJ Kirkby
Guest
Not only did the ARU cut out at least 30,000 West Australian Force Fans, they also lost thousands of Wallaby fans (incl me) no more will i travel East to watch wallaby games... so think of how the NSW economy will also suffer. I'm not going to set foot in NSW again.
Samvandamn
Guest
No one cares Matt
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
And its not rugby union, its rugby disunion.. with the f..wits that run the game in sydney...
colvin
Guest
They say it was because of financial considerations. Are the financial considerations of both sides public?
Matt Simpson
Roar Guru
I'm sorry, I love the Roar, but this article is noting more then a swipe at Melbourne from an anonymous expert. Victorian Rugby is growing at Grassroots level, we have a fast growing population and a Government who sees rugby as key in being an international sports capital. Both teams had merits and neither should have gone.I have written before here that teams are paying for the lack of strategic direction from the ARU (http://www.theroar.com.au/2017/05/19/force-rebels-paying-price-hapless-aru/). Neither team should have gone.
Craig Joubert
Guest
League has been there done that and also got out. I doubt they'll go back again.
Mark b
Guest
Well said....! This article covered most things.... and WELL..! Bad decision looking for short term money gain..... Seriously will melbournians really ever get into the rebels? It is the"sports HYPE capital of the world". Of course they wont. Ps. arnt all melbourne rugby and rugby league terms about buying players from nsw and qld...? They certainly dont seem to develop there own players. They take from the strong developed states and make them weaker.... All about money... Not a decision that favours player growth and long term financial success. There is genuine interest and participation in rugby in WA. There is also genuine player development in WA. We queenslands and new south welshmen feel sorry for our WA rugby loving brothers. The majority of us are even more disgusted at the ARU management and due to the ARUs gross shambolic management and lack of vision just ripely TURNED OFF by their competition.
Mark b
Guest
Well said....! This article covered most things.... and WELL..! Bad decision looking for short term money gain..... Seriously will melbournians really ever get into the rebels? It is the"sports hype capital of the world".Of course they wont. Not a decision that favours player growth and long term financial success. There is genuine interest and participation in rugby in WA. We queenslands and new south welshmen feel sorry for our WA brothers, we are even disgusted more at the arl management and just ripely not interested in your competition anymore.
David
Guest
For decades to come? Optimistic mate. I think Australia Rugby could be long since dead before that happens if something isn't sorted out.
Piru
Guest
This is interesting ch "At the request of the ARU, the McGowan Government recently agreed to bring forward payments to the ARU for Perth to host the 2019 Bledisloe Cup, subject to the Western Force remaining in Super Rugby."
BeastieBoy
Guest
John Eales what do you think of all this? What is your real opinion? Please come on this site and tell the Australian Rugby supporters what you really think? Do you think the Force should be saved? Is Rugby in WA the most positive region in Australia before all this? John where are you?
andrewM
Guest
Are you the new TWAS matt?
andrewM
Guest
You won't be alone Chooks! BE THERE IN BLUE!
matt jones
Guest
Joey - you really have no idea. they never were the number 1 team and even if for a month or 2 had bigger crowds that is not the determinant of a teams popularity you have been indulging with Andrew Johns too much laughable comment