A RugbyWA board member claims ARU chairman Cameron Clyne agreed to let the Western Force back into the Super Rugby competition — only to later renege on the offer.
But Clyne scoffed at the accusation, saying: “I categorically refute the claims”.
In a sensational twist to the ongoing saga, RugbyWA board member David Vaux claims he was told that all five Australian franchises would be retained if billionaire Andrew Forrest financially underwrote the Force and made a significant contribution to Australian rugby.
Vaux said the commitment was made to him by Clyne on Sunday.
Two days later, Forrest met with Clyne and two other ARU board members in Adelaide.
At this meeting, Forrest tabled an offer believed to be worth in the vicinity of $50 million, with a significant portion of the funds allocated to grass roots rugby.
Forrest also gave an unconditional guarantee that the Force would be no financial burden on the ARU if the team was retained in the competition, meaning he would bankroll any potential losses.
But Vaux said the ARU did a backflip and rejected the proposal, leaving Forrest stunned.
“It is now clear that the ARU did not attend the meeting in Adelaide with the intention of resolving a mutually acceptable agreement, as said previously by ARU Chairman Cameron Clyne,” RugbyWA chairman Tony Howarth said.
The Force enjoyed a minor victory on Wednesday morning when they were granted the right to appeal the ARU’s decision to axe the team.
The hearing was conducted in the NSW Supreme Court later that day, and a decision is expected to be handed down within a fortnight.
RugbyWA argued the ARU had no right to axe the Force under the terms of the ‘alignment’ deal that was struck last year.
In that deal, which was effectively a takeover, the ARU guaranteed the Force’s future until at least the end of the broadcast deal in 2020.
But the ARU successfully argued in arbitration that a new broadcast deal is now in place given the competition will go from 18 teams to 15 in 2018, thus giving them the right to axe the Force.
If the Force’s appeal is unsuccessful, Forrest has pledged to start up a new international rugby competition that will see the franchise compete with teams from Asia.
Ross Xenos, the chief executive of the Rugby Union Players’ Association, said he was stunned and bewildered the ARU didn’t accept Forrest’s offer.
“We feel it was an opportunity for the game to put itself back on financial footing and to save the game, rather than saving face,” Xenos said.
ols
Roar Pro
the Cold Water Kid ;)
Bakkies
Guest
To be fair Realist isn't as bad as some of the dopes on the ARU Facebook comments.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
The act provides a penalty of up to 5 years and/or a $200,000.00 fine your honour along with a ban on holding any directorships in any company. The prosecution submits that this callous act of bad faith and mismanagement is deserving of the maximum.
sittingbison
Guest
To repeat for possibly the 50th time, he was enjoying watching the rugby as a foundation member, financing the future force foundation producing Hardwick Kotecka Louwrens etc , and sponsoring the shirts and players. He did not believe until recently the ARU could fall to the depths of depravity now an display to all and sundry Back in your kennel Jack
sittingbison
Guest
Hmmmm....77 posts and no appearance of TWAS Fascinating
sittingbison
Guest
Okayyyyy.....who to believe. Andrew Forrest and John Welborn (ex wallaby, ex Captain of Tahs) travel to Adelaide to meet ARU to discuss Force reinstatement after suggesting muchos lucre is at stake ARU delegation of chariman Clyne along with two Wallabies, both personal aquaintances and former team mates of Welborn, who very publicly asked both to reconsider the cull, agree to travel to Adelaide Clyne then says there was never a suggestion that the Force be reinstated Did Andrew Forrest only travel to Adelaide to enjoy a pie floater for luncheon with his new chum Clyne, or was he there to talk turkey
sittingbison
Guest
I would like to think it's satire, and am sure it is. However given the brain-dead numpties trolling away it's getting increasingly difficult to discern fact from fiction
sittingbison
Guest
Summarily dismissed before the meeting actually properly started Thus Forrest was quote "stunned" unquote
sittingbison
Guest
The banker thought $50m fits in a brown paper bag
sittingbison
Guest
Hip....Patsy is anything but a realist
ols
Roar Pro
https://www.westernforce.com.au/staff/david-vaux vs an ex banker
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
What do you mean "again"!
bamboo
Guest
I agree with Matt M - incredibly good cause, with a lot of support from both inside and outside of WA (including myself), but theres one or two idiots that don't seem to get it, and unfortunately they appear to be the loudest.
piru
Roar Rookie
I try not to take myself that seriously, though I acknowledge this subject has had me ruffled a few times
PeterK
Roar Guru
piru - ok my apologies, i don't pay attention to the tr@lls so you probably are right I actually thought it was clever satire , just enough ott
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Still incorrect, the last line should read: The money being spent on lawyers could have been spent on ARU board member bonuses in recognition of this fine work.
piru
Roar Rookie
I'd believe that if he hadn't posted comments in a similar vein multiple times of late. Sadly we've reached the Trump border on this issue, where real life is so strange that satire is no longer possible.
Ex force fan
Guest
Anti-Trump supporters maybe. We need someone that know what they do and can explain why they do it.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Lee's post was in satire , full of sarcasm, it seems you that missed entirely
Matt M
Guest
DeClyne, EARU... I'm waiting for Crazy Horse to start chanting "lock him up"!