Billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest will meet with the ARU on Tuesday in a bid to convince the governing body to overturn their decision to axe the Western Force.
Forrest and former RugbyWA chairman Geoff Stooke will meet with ARU chairman Cameron Clyne, and board members John Eales and Brett Robinson at lunchtime.
The ARU have repeatedly knocked back invites to meet with Forrest to discuss the future of the Western Force.
But Forrest has finally been granted his wish – and he agreed to hold the meeting in Adelaide so as to limit the amount of travel Clyne, Eales, and Robinson would need to make.
Stooke quit his post on the ARU board in protest to the decision to axe the Force.
He says the ARU should retain all five Australian franchises, rather than rip rugby out of WA.
Stooke says if the Force are shut down now, WA will never again embrace a professional rugby franchise.
Pressure is mounting on the ARU to reverse their decision to axe the Force.
The Western Australian government is exploring the possibility of suing the ARU for more than $100 million unless the Force are reinstated.
RugbyWA, who are being backed by Forrest, will find out on Wednesday whether they can appeal the Force’s axing to the NSW Supreme Court.
Forrest has already pledged to bankroll any potential future losses by the Force.
sittingbison
Guest
Ever heard of a salary cap Einstein? Hmmmm....fair weather....now, which team would you be supporting ;)
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Unlike the Rebels, the Force was given no concessions on recruiting overseas players nor any salary cap exemptions.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
You can count on that Neutral. Twiggy has said "whatever it takes, for as long as it takes".
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
There is nothing in the agreement DeClyne entered into that mandates cutting the Force. This has gone beyond Super Rugby. What is at stake is WA's place as a full member of the Australian Rugby Community. We'll fight to the death for that and if we have to destroy the EARU in the process well so be it. We didn't start this but we'll finish it. The EARU can end this at any time by backing off and ending their attempts to destroy WA Rugby.
RahRah
Guest
FORCE WIN RIGHT TO APPEAL
In brief
Guest
Can we please get John Eales off Foxtel. The man is a disgrace.
In brief
Guest
Good riddance to you Millie -now be a good boy and don't come back.
Milan
Guest
How on earth you have got to pro status on the roar is mind boggling. At least you've got bakkies to hold your hand. Between you, you almost make one man
Milan
Guest
I'm not against the force. I'm against bullies like bakeries and crazy horse. You have seen the language they use when they don't like what's being written
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
In life and in business there is always a price. This was only the first found. This is not over yet. This could actually be the beginning of something. I think Tiggys first offer showed intent. That lunch will not be a one off.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
I sense Twiggy is in this one to win. This will continue.
Fair Weather
Guest
The question begs, Forrest knew Force were struggling for years. Australia has a lot of players playing overseas. Why wasn't he recruiting these players to make the Force a winning team? Too little too late. The ship has sailed digger.
MrTommo
Guest
Have to agree, there's no point starting a new international league without some other top teams to follow; Twiggy is better off starting a rival national league to the NRC in my opinion, grab the top club teams from Shute Shield, QLD premier rugby and ACT, plus a few combined teams from VIC and WA. Start Pumping cash into these teams, promote signing of Marquee players, and hopefully, with time, performance and results, convince Kiwi teams from the mitre 10 cup to join in a trans-tasman comp. Now that'll be a rival comp to Super rugby for sure. A quick Hash tournament with teams nobody cares about is doomed before it begins.
sittingbison
Guest
Make that 30 comments
sittingbison
Guest
Lol mentioning high performance after the weekends effort is hilarious. Talk about head up the khyber
RahRah
Roar Rookie
Just waiting for TWAS now "50 million bad, cut Force good@.
Jules
Guest
Last week cutting a team was for financial reasons today is high performance. I think it's just they want the Force out!! Seriously I'm done ARU I have no Faith in you or any BS that you come out with
piru
Roar Rookie
Oh don't get me wrong I'd love to hear the details I can't wait to see what horrible concessions Twiggy demanded of them. BTW having just read the Perthnow article it seems this was $50 million on TOP of underwriting the Force for any losses
Paul D
Guest
Asking for control of the board or the ARU's Super Rugby rights perhaps?
Scrumma
Guest
Though I wasn't a force fan because I'm to hearty of a kiwi on the inside, I have to say beautiful Perth gave me the best 9.5 years of my life.