Shocked Western Force stars say the players are sticking tight and believe the fight to save their Super Rugby team is not over.
Dane Haylett-Petty and lock Adam Coleman revealed the feelings of the six-strong Force contingent in the Wallabies squad in the wake of the Australian Rugby Union’s decision to axe their Perth-based Super Rugby franchise.
“I suppose it’s mixed emotions,” said Haylett-Petty on Monday as the Wallabies prepared for their Bledisloe Cup opener against the All Blacks in Sydney on Saturday.
“I’m angry, confused, disappointed, but as a group we’re really sticking tight and the process is not done yet.”
His comments came shortly after Rugby WA gained an injunction order against the ARU decision while waiting to learn if it will be granted leave to appeal it in the NSW Supreme Court.
Coleman reinforced the united approach of the Force players and stressed he wouldn’t be committing to another Super Rugby team until a definitive decision was made on the Force’s future.
“I personally think the fight is not over yet and Dane believes that too and so does the rest of the WA rugby community,” Coleman said.
Haylett-Petty emphasised he would not bear a grudge against any Force player who looked elsewhere for their future in the meantime.
“I don’t think you could ever hold it against anyone for looking after themselves and there may be a few boys in that situation,” Haylett-Petty said.
“But I think hopefully this is resolved in the next few weeks and from chatting with a lot of the boys, the boys are willing to stay tight to the end.”
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
If the ARU goes bankrupt, Australian Rugby will never recover at a professional level. Every decent player will go overseas and we will never build a professional competition to retain them.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No they don't. If they had "lots of ammo" they would have used it. Any action they have chosen not to take to date, has likely been because they consider it less likely to be successful.
ols
Roar Pro
They roll nicely of the tounge , Andrew M :D
milan
Guest
lol - what a numpty you are bakkies
piru
Roar Rookie
I didn't get personal I can if you like (you won't)
piru
Roar Rookie
El Gamba - I'm of the opinion no team had to go, and that the decision was made far too hastily. I'm starting to agree with those who think we are seeing the end days of Super Rugby and think that ARU would have been better off preserving it's own backyard than chopping and changing to keep the SANZAAR lords happy. I probably have been a bit guilty of some emotional responses in the last few days, but I'd hope those that know me allow me a little bit of slack! Lovely ground down at Soaks btw, one of my favourite places to ref, even after being attacked by an angry Midland player haha.
andrewM
Guest
Now that's a good one for the Rally and Boks games..got a few now Resign Clyne! Spreadsheet, Spreadsheet! F U A R U..
andrewM
Guest
So tell us how your team went then Milan?
superba
Guest
ie have a relegation playoff .
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Sydney, Force have lots of ammo other than financial argument. I know people say this sometimes but I have it on good account that one area is due diligence. It will be argued ARU has failed in DD along the way which makes their decision to axe the Force illegal. They are already going hard. The unintended consequence of winning will see legal costs melting ARU, which will melt the SAANZAR agreement. Beyond that is above my pay scale.
Sydneysider
Guest
I hope the Force and Twiggy Forrest go hard at the ARU, bankrupt them. Wipe the slate clean and start again, it's the only hope for rugby in Australia to reform and rebuild. The same problems will occur for the remaining 4 Aussie super rugby sides. Super Rugby needs to die.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
You were going ok Bludger, arguable, but ok. Then the clanger -'Sydney Clubs'??? Did you stil drive a 1968 Monaro? Or an FJ? I pine for the spirit of the past. But to preserve the spirit of the past we need to create new structures for a new future. Sheesh! Sydney clubs!! Btw I support 2 Sydney clubs. As William Shakespeare once said: "Sydney clubs do not a national competition make".
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
I dont know why Piru, but that made me laugh.
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
The universal answer ... I'm surprised no one has yet suggested he just buy SANZAAR
Ex force fan
Guest
There you go again...
Ex force fan
Guest
Why wait till next year, we just had a play-off and the Force beat the Rebels, Tahs and Reds. Unfortunately we played the Brumbies early in the season.
AndyS
Guest
Well, Patsy did say "continue" to support youth development and community rugby WA. Getting rid of the NRC would certainly be consistent with the ARUs past support for those things...
Fin
Guest
They were such a beautiful couple I still can't believe they couldn't make it work.
Fin
Guest
Mate if you want to talk about being bent over and taking it up the date there's other websites out there for that sort of stuff leave it off the Roar please.
Wayne
Guest
100 % right. The ARU have been deceitful from the beginning