Western Force skipper Ian Prior is confident there will be a World Series Rugby competition next year, saying the players are keeping the faith in billionaire Andrew Forrest.
The Force’s future looked bleak when they were axed from Super Rugby at the end of last season.
But Forrest revived the franchise with the launch of World Series Rugby, and he has big plans for the future.
The Force have played four exhibition games in front of big crowds so far this year with another three games to come.
But the true test will come next year when WSR converts into a proper competition format featuring up to eight teams from the Asia Pacific region.
Organisers hope to announce further details shortly after the August 17 clash between the Force and the Panasonic Wild Knights at nib Stadium.
As it stands players are still in the dark as to the finer points of what WSR will look like next year.
But Prior said the players weren’t in any doubt it will go ahead.
“We’ve been getting some feedback that next year is going to go ahead,” Prior said.
“We should have some more clarity over the next couple of months.
“But from what we’ve heard, there’s been some encouraging signs with discussions … with other teams.
“The positive signs are there. We’ve just got to keep our faith in them, and make sure we keep working hard on the field.”
Prior said the players were comforted knowing they had Forrest backing them.
“It was a leap of faith (from the players) coming here to start with,” Prior said.
“But you’ve seen how quickly World Series Rugby has come together.
“And seeing how involved Andrew is and how keen he is to get the whole World Series Rugby off the ground and running as the premier competition in the world is quite exciting.”
The Force will be back in action on Saturday night when they take on a Samoan representative side at nib Stadium.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Actually it holds less configuered for WSR as the bank of seats in the SW corner (S116) is covered by the entertainment stage. As Piru said, the Shed was full. Bursting at the seams.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Yes attendance was down due to the weather but 11,678 people passed through the elecronic ticketing gates to support their team. Fact. The weather was miserable. Even those in the covered stands were getting wet. Fact Many chose to seek shelter in the very large areas under the stands that have numerous CCTVs. Fact. The very large members bar, usually empty during play was full all night. Fact.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I made my estimates based on the seat maps and what people on TWF had been saying with regards to the dry seat line (obviously people gravitated towards the undercover seats). You have no problem with accepting that number. But you also aren't one of the people criticizing every published Super Rugby crowd number so it's a pointless discussion with you as you have seemingly accepted all numbers on face value. Not just the ones you like and disregard the ones you don't.
concerned supporter
Guest
Piru, The whole of Rugby Roar, bar none know that TWAS is an RA flog, Andrew Forrest is endeavouring to repair the damage done by Clyne, Eales & Co in WA. If Clyne & TWAS were in a house of ill fame with a fistful of $100 notes, they couldn't organize a you know what. Clyne went to St Dominics Penrith, yet sat back and did sweet FA when Penrith Emus were culled after 4 rounds. He is a ruthless & heartless individual.
piru
Roar Rookie
The Shed appeared to be full - and it can hold most of the GA seated area if it's really wet and everyone breathes in. the top of the eastern stands (ie that part under cover) was also pretty full from what I could see. Those seated along the sideline had mostly retreated back up to the spacious under cover area to watch on the TVs and between the pillars. I have no problem whatsoever accepting that number
piru
Roar Rookie
have you ever been to Nib? The older undercover section (and the section with the prevailing winds at it's back) is invisible on camera.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
There's nothing wrong with getting a low crowd to a game against a weak opponent in the context of the season, on a night of terrible weather. But for people to question attendances in 30k plus stadiums that were reported as similar, and then brag about this...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Given the amount of questioning of similar numbers in much bigger stadia. Absolutely. NIB holds 20,500. Looking at the videos and pictures the end stands are basically empty. 25% max would be undercover. Looking at the side stands these are at best 50% full yet the Stadium was over half full?
piru
Roar Rookie
Must have all been in the toilets when the photos were taken… Or standing under cover while Perth endured the tail end of what has been it's wettest and coldest winter in some time. Are you suggesting this number is not accurate?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Of course... It's hilarious that Force fans dispute every single reported attendance but will defend close to 12,000 being reported in a stadium that holds 20,500 when entire stands were completely empty in game photos.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
The weather was wet, windy and freezing. Down right miserable. Despite this 11678 fans showed up to support their team. nib is a modern stadium with CCTV monitors everywhere. A lot of fans were under the stands and in the olympic pool size members bar watvhing on CCTV.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
So now you're just going to change the discussion because you don't like the answers?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Must have all been in the toilets when the photos were taken...
Ex force fan
Guest
You still ignore the facts TWAS..... The ARU stuffed up and stuffed up badly. The outcome is clear, Australia still have by far the weakest conference and rugby supporters continue to loose interest in a tired and unfair competition, The only thing that is certain is that the gain was definitely not worth the pain.
Bakkies
Guest
Like Simon Poidevin?
Rebel Fan
Guest
I'm really scared of ASIC, they will do sweet FA because they have bigger fish to fry!
Ex force fan
Guest
+1 with 11,700 other cold raid soaked fans that attended yesterday's game.
mothy
Guest
Well -I for one am happy the Force are still around. They have entertained me well so far this year. You can puff your chests out and say what you like, but with what was left of the Force after the axing a new team has emerged and are doing their supporters proud. They have to enter a new world of rugby as they had been snubbed by the old and in doing so have done pretty well I think. I’m looking forward to the future and what it will bring. Everyone else can go and enjoy their team! I’ll be certainly enjoying watching my team win lose or draw. As for the past the only thing I hope is that Clyne is moved on and genuine people are put in charge of growing the game in Australia
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Haha the team had a total of 10 Wallaby caps across 3 players. The Rising team for around 1 of the NRC last year had between 30 and 40 Wallaby caps across 6 players. It was an mid level NRC level team at best.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It was discussed? So we agree, nothing was agreed between parties until April 2017? Thanks.