The Rugby WA Premier Grade competition has existed in one form or another for well over a century.
However, when I played we all knew that no matter how good you were, you were never going to be even looked at by the Wallabies selectors – who didn’t even seem to be aware there was a rugby competition in Perth.
The best we could hope for was to be selected in a state team to be thrashed by the All Blacks or Springboks when they stopped over on their way to and from South Africa.
We never saw the Wallabies, ever. They were just not part of our rugby experience. They were the Sydney/Brisbane team. Nothing to do with us. Some followed them. Many didn’t.
Many quality players even preferred to play lower grades because it was less demanding and just as much fun. No one cared if you attended training. The game was just about working up a thirst for the festivities afterward.
That all changed with the arrival of the Force and the accompanying Rugby Development Officers. Rugby WA went from one half-time administrator to dozens of full time staff. Both the quality and quantity of players improved rapidly to the point where the best of the WA Premier Grade Teams would now hold their own anywhere in the country.
Suddenly there was a pathway to the highest honours for those who had the skill and application. People we saw every week at our clubs were in the Wallabies. Initially imported from elsewhere but in recent times an increasing number of locals made the Wallabies.
We can see legions of kids who have come all the way through the WA system dreaming of playing for the Wallabies finally reach selection age.
The Haylett-Pettys, Godwin, Hardwick, Rona, Peni and so on are the first of many. So we came to love the Wallabies.
(AAP Image/Dan Peled)
We’ve put up with a lot. Not only the usual dramas associated with establishing a team from scratch. We’ve also had to battle complete indifference, even open hostility and sabotage from people 3000 miles away – from people who are supposed to be promoting and growing the game we love nationally.
Now it seems we’re back to the bad old days. We’ve been told we aren’t wanted.
Western Australia is used to eastern states’ interests trying to screw us over right across the political, commercial and sporting fields. As every WA politician regardless of political colour knows, nothing is more guaranteed to rally the WA public to any cause than an attack from the east.
So if the ARU gets away with this, don’t be surprised if the enthusiasm for the Wallabies reverts to what it was pre-Force.
Prior to this outrageous decision to cut the Force, I was comfortable that Perth’s new 60,000-seat billion dollar stadium would be full for the Bledisloe. In addition to the core rugby people that’ll attend any and everything rugby and the big occasion casual fans, the WA Kiwi population will turn out in very large numbers.
Now, I’m not so sure. The anger in WA is not subsiding, as many in the ARU no doubt hoped it would. It is building. There are rallies and other protests being planned, petitions circulating and politicians on both sides of the house are flocking to the cause. Perth’s other sporting codes are all supportive, notably the Perth Glory who rent offices and use the training facilities of the Force.
The anger is such that many are deserting the Wallabies altogether. I think the September 9 match would be virtually empty, except many people already have tickets. I do think you will see very little gold in the crowd. There will be a Sea of Green (local Saffas supporting the Boks) with the rest in Force Blue.
Sort of a 21st Century version of the ancient tradition not bearing arms if forced to participate in some spectacle you don’t agree with.
The assumption that WA rugby followers are simply going to switch their allegiances to one of the other teams picking over the carcass of the Force is false. Some may but most will simply revert to their other teams or abandon rugby altogether.
Many of us in WA rugby have dual rugby loyalties. Many thousands of New Zealanders live here. For others it’s South Africa. For me it’s Ireland.
Did the ARU really expect the Sea of Blue would just accept their “attempt to cut the Force,” which is the consistent language coming from rugby WA, Twiggy Forrest and the Western Australian Government?
The richest man in Australia has said he’ll fund the rugby WA legal actions (note plural) for as long as it takes, with whatever it takes. Rugby WA also has a seriously wealthy leading QC leading their case pro bono. There is also a major law firm, a sponsor of the Force, involved.
How’s the ARU legal fund looking?
Regardless of the outcome of the various legal cases, there can be no healing while any of them remain in any position of influence in Australian rugby.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
As predicted the NRL are moving to fill the vacuum and capitalise on the anger the EARU's actions have caused. They've arranged to play a double header as the first sporting fixture in the new 60,000 seat stadium on March 10 next year. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-28/nrl-to-open-stadium-as-first-sporting-match/8850122
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
WA Labor's State Conference (the supreme decision-making body of the government party) has weighed in condemning the EARU and endorsing the Senate Inquiry. The anger grows.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Rebs are our brothers in arms but when you are put to the sword and it is us or them we are always going to climb over bodies to survive. It is a sad state those 1D10Ts have put us in..
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I was working as an outsider with FMG in the recent past when they were having their plums squeezed by the Iron ore price. If Twiggy thought managing the survival of his company was more important than a Rugby franchise that wasn't under an obvious, imminent threat, I can respect his choices. They were not losing money at $20 per tonne, imagine how profitable they are at $88.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Matt, I have already pulled Peter K up on this and I will do the same to you. That is Bigitory, Please keep it to yourself and your mates with pointy hats. If it is an issue for you, perhaps you should start on Speight, Kerevi, Niavalu, Kuridrani x2, Koribete, Jack Deb, Smiler, Nabuli, Pocock, Godwin, Nianavoro, Kepu, Latu, TPN and many, many others.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
The EvilEARU are in a unique position where they a managing an amateur sport with government funding and a professional one with broadcast and sponsor funding. They have hit a classic, forseeable conflict of interest and have decided to take the money and run. How far will the EEARU get without commonwealth funding?
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Hodgo is pretty good on social media as well.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Don't forget to Fill The Hill for the Spirit games as well
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Hodgo's comment was Go in Blue or don't go and be very loud about why you aren't Coleman and DHP say go in force in blue but as they are Chieka Shills in fear of losing their wallaby spots I would take that with a grain of salt.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
This is the Super League conundrum - the question boiled down to owns the game? Since it started as an amateur sport, it would be very difficult to argue that it is owned by the IRB and as such would not have the power to restrict the playing of it. League started Pro and that is why Super League got canned..
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Asked and answered. If you need help finding them, look at Twiggy's speech in front of 8,000 force fans last weekend
Matt M
Guest
Agreed totally, all Australian developed players as far as I'm concerned. Just trying to lighten the mood a little! Good luck with the Appeal now it has been given the green light.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Well said exforcefan. We all have to get off our posteriors and be heard in our opinion that what is happening is unacceptable and that the incompetents that have overseen the declyne must go.
Ex force fan
Guest
Think he described the feeling of betrayal that the West Australian rugby community is feeling not only from the ARU, NSW, QLD and ACT administrators and also the Australian rugby community as a whole that sat back and allowed this to happen. As rugby supporter and key board warrior, what did you do? Did you call the NSW representative at the ARU or at club games that you hate what they are doing to WA? Did you call the ARU, send and e-mail of letter. Or did you just sit back and watch the train wreck play out? The alternative Asian cup competition will be a poor second rate competition and you know that the Force fans deserve better. The Spirit may have another year or two but will be gone as they will not be able to keep the best WA players in WA. WA the national champions will become a rugby backwater quickly. That is 20% of the player base with the fastest growing junior competition. The logical decision now is to merge two teams for the next 3 years, reinstate the Force, take the $54 million that is on the table and grow the game and then review the Superugby structure in 2020. However WA fans cannot make this happen on our own. The egos in the ARU Board will not allow this to happen and neither will the NSW and QLD representatives on the Board. Rugby in WA and Australia will not recover in from this disastrous year. What a disaster....and that is your fault as Australian rugby supporter! Sitting behind your key board warrior is not enough.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Note that this was written before the appeal decision was known.
Mac
Guest
Brisbane Prem comp should attempt this feat. Takes time to build but I know a lot who would watch it even in the regions.
Ex force fan
Guest
The ARU is not an asset rich organisation and their balance sheet will always be a problem. Cash flow is the key factor that drive the organisation and its behaviour. That is why it is important not to give them a cent of cash and let them run dry. For example it you are a Force or Bok support and did not buy tickets to the Bok/WB game in September please don't. The Sea of Blue cannot do anything that will change the ARU's mind. We need to get to get the ARU in such a desperate position that their only option out will be to go cap in the hand to Twiggy to ask him to bail them out. After the Supreme case hearing, that will be only way the Force will be playing Superugby next year, - provided we still have a team left by that time. With Hodgo giving up, I would expect that playing group to follow soon.
Bakkies
Guest
John Edwards who posts on the TWF forum?
piru
Roar Rookie
Saw this last night The ARU have managed to do what no player or team have been able to do, they got Hodgo feeling like there's no hope. Congrats I suppose
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
From Matt Hodgson: The game & great people I grew up loving have now changed & I am losing my love for the game with every day. One of my greatest memories was watching the Bledisloe at Homebush stadium in 2000 with over 90,000 people next to me, cheering on our idols. I distinctly remember watching Kefu score the match winning try, followed by John Eales kicking the match winning goal. I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to play the game I love at all levels. Playing juniors for a small club on the NSW Central Coast (Avoca Beach), then making the move to Sydney to try my luck at the next level. I was lucky to find a great club in Eastwood; they took me in as one of their own & I was part of a community, a family. My journey took some ups & downs. I have been close to being forced out of the game on many occasions due to injury. Even in the darkest of my days I still loved The game. The game was not to blame. Through a lot of determination & pain I was able to play again. I wasn't sure if another opportunity to play professionally was going to come my way. All I wanted to do was be part of that Rugby family again. Then I got the call from the Western Force to fill the last place in their roster. It was a tough decision to move states, leave my family & mates to follow my dream; a dream to maybe play with or against my childhood heroes. I honestly thought I would be in Perth for a couple of season, then return back to Sydney to return to my normal life. But that all changed when I fell in Love with the Club the Western Force & Rugby in WA. I had found a new rugby family & I have never looked back. I am forever grateful for the opportunity that was given to me & will be a loyal & faithful servant of this family as long as they'll have me. Yes there where tough times on & off the field. But my love for the game, club & Sea of Blue has never waived . This year has been the hardest year I have ever been involved in with Rugby & it has nothing to do with the game on the field. I love the style of rugby we have been playing & I could not have been prouder of our boys & the way the Western Force organisation conducted itself this year. This year has been filled with sleepless nights. The moments that are quiet, when you stop & think we might not be doing what we love next year with our rugby family. When a fellow team mate comes up to you for answers & you don't have any. When a 6 year old you are coaching asks why they hate the Western Force. When a fan of 12 years ask you to stop them from taking away their dream of playing for the Force. When the stalwart of the game, a guy who washes the jerseys & sets the field ready for training every session & asks for nothing in return, is gutted for how his rugby family is being treated. How do we process that? They turn to me for strength, leadership, guidance & answers. I want to be all they need me to be. But how do I do that when those in power have not told me why? 134 days since this all started & I'm still waiting for a single face to face meeting with those making the decisions. I still have no straight answers as the story keeps changing. It just doesn't add up. I think that I have been a loyal servant of the game. I've played club rugby for many great teams, captained the Australian 7s, played under 21s, captained at Super Rugby, Played Australia A & I am Wallabies #841. But my feelings towards rugby in Australia are waiving. I am struggling to maintain my love due to the disbelief & disappointment that I have for the custodians of our game. How can they treat my rugby family like this? Today might just be the day I finally loose the love of the game, after another opportunity to make the right decision again was wasted. It's never too late to make the right decision. Will the love ever come back? I'm not sure. I have lost my game, I have lost one of my heroes & I still don't know why.