The Western Force will consider launching a new rugby union competition in Asia if they can’t win their way back into Super Rugby ranks.
The Force’s future is up in the air after they were axed by the ARU earlier this month.
RugbyWA will find out on Wednesday whether their appeal against the ARU’s decision to axe the Force will be heard in the NSW Supreme Court.
If not – or if the appeal fails – the Force will be left with no other choice but to explore playing elsewhere.
Two South African teams were also cut as part of the Super Rugby cull – the Cheetahs and Kings.
But their ‘axing’ was an amicable process given plans were put in place for them to join Europe’s Pro14 competition.
If the move is successful, South Africa’s four remaining Super franchises may also join the European league.
During the Force’s supporter rally on Sunday, billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest threw up a curve ball by saying he would start his own international league if the Supreme Court appeal failed.
Force chief executive Mark Sinderberry said the idea had merit.
“This is a really exciting concept and picks up on some interesting rugby we’re seeing in Asia,” Sinderberry said.
“Certainly Twiggy’s vision is one we’d be very excited to understand.
“It’s an embryonic idea, but one worth exploring.
“There’s a number of cities and countries in Asia that do play rugby at the moment and are looking at ways to develop their own programs. So we think it would be very well received.”
But Sinderberry stressed his No.1 preference would be for the Force to remain in Super ranks.
He feels that would be the best way to help Australian rugby fix their current financial and on-field woes.
“Shrinking to success is not a very well tried strategy,” Sinderberry said.
“Unless the Force are at the table, we can’t be part of the solution.
“We want to develop a future that actually solves the wider challenges the game is facing. And as we saw on the weekend (in the Wallabies’ heavy loss to NZ), there are many.”
Forrest is due to meet with ARU chairman Cameron Clyne and ARU board members John Eales and Brett Robinson in Adelaide on Tuesday.
He hopes to convince the ARU to reverse their decision to cut the Force.
The Western Australian Government has threatened to bankrupt the ARU over its axing of the Force.
WA Premier Mark McGowan revealed he is investigating the prospect of suing the ARU for more than $100 million over funds the Government pumped into redeveloping nib Stadium and building the Force’s headquarters.
bazza
Guest
Andrew's Asian rugby union competition will be as real as Clive Palmers rival soccer competition that he was going to start when the A-league realised he couldn't run a sporting team
bazza
Guest
Inheriting vast amounts of land is not starting from nothing
AB's4life
Guest
Just a thought, why doesn't "twiggy" pay the NZ rugby union 50 million and play in the mitre 10 cup. I'm sure he could fly the teams for each game & it would be better competition for them. The NRL let the warriors in & A league let the Phoenix in so it's about time we let them in? Just a thought
Jacky
Guest
Who authorised the ARU to axe a team and since when can Australian Rugby afford to knock back the sort of money Twiggy is offering.I would be happier to side with him than Sydney based ARU and Sanzar
AndyS
Guest
Have to say I'd be skeptical, but nice to think someone might be thinking about what the west might do after SR. Certainly looks like the ARU hasn't given it a seconds thought, and had no intention of doing so. But as skeptical as I am, I'd be even more so if the ARU are suddenly all up for it. I'm sure Forrest is no fool, so I would hope he would make damn sure they were kept completely away from it and in no position to affect the outcome in any way...there would be far more who would rather see it fail than succeed, if only for how it would reflect on them. That said, if we are talking about competitions that are languishing under their control, I wonder if they would be up for giving an outside party a completely free hand to run a nationwide domestic competition as they see best....?
Damo
Guest
If Super Rugby is losing money and people aren't turning up to watch first rate players and nations they are hardly going to turn up to watch 5th rate players that no one has ever heard of. Such a competition would be a money pit of epic proportions and $50m wouldn't even touch the sides.
AndyS
Guest
Inclined to agree. Still, if the competition featured teams from the pacific islands, it would be interesting to see whether WR would be prepared to tell them they wouldn't ratify their only chance at regular competition...
rebel
Guest
$50mil should cover it.
Kelefua
Guest
All power to WA. If I were in the shoes of anyone employed by the Force then I'd want to have some future job security as well. As well as Asian maybe see if any of the Pacific Island unions want to join in. That'll provide entertainment for sure. If the idea can attract a fraction of the Asian viewer market, given how huge it is, then surely that would entice a broadcaster with a decent deal to help finance the whole thing.
Clyde
Guest
Yes they could have also taken a massive revenue cut by keeping 5 teams and dropping the Sunwolves, or maybe just kept the S18 as it was. Either option they were still doomed financially, so they went for the sensible route.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Been following your comments here at The Roar for many years BB. I think especially you would take pleasure from a reversed exodus, and players starting return back home.again.
In brief
Guest
I won't get political but under the veneer of respectability Australia, and particularly NSW where I live has a very ugly and corrupt underbelly.
In brief
Guest
Irrational babbling is a great description of de-Clyne and co.and the magical mystery tour they took Australian rugby on this year complete with invisible 'giant' spreadsheets, acts of deception and some impressive contortions. I hope you have reserved some of your bile for the ARU circus.
Bakkies
Guest
'Why doesn’t Twiggy throw his support into that to build it into a realistic replacement for Super Rugby in 2020 when in all likelihood we will need an option sans South Africa.' The issue is that there is talk the ARU will cut the Spirit out of the NRC.
In brief
Guest
You really are stuck in the Middle Ages. Rugby in WA is growing with 20% of the playing base. Does that count for nothing?
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
It is Sanzaar move. Can't you see this? ARU are not alone in this. I love your drive mate, but try to look more at the big picture. There might be a solution here with a happy ending for the Western Force, but if you gonna win this you - Twiggy - need to start addressing Sanzaar, and NZR and SARU. And if you want a friendly relationship with World Rugby, forget about touching the Sunwolves before the WC 2019.
In brief
Guest
What was the Rebels average crowd this year? How did they compare to the Force?
In brief
Guest
How can you use the word 'facts' when you don't even know what Forrest is proposing? Essentially you are putting words into his mouth. Text book straw man argument.
Bakkies
Guest
'What game did you watch ScottD? Who did the Sunwolves play?' Exactly as none of their home games in Tokyo have had 2,000-3,000 in attendance.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
The EARU could easily have told SAANZAR that as no Australian teams were part of the expansion from 15 to 18 it wasn't going to be in any proposal to cut it back to 18. That there was no way that the Sunwolves were going to replace an Australian team in the Australian Conference. Clyne didn't do that because he's not an innocent here. He's one of the prime movers.