The Western Force are set to make one of the most improbable comebacks to top-flight rugby the code has ever seen following the formation of a five-team domestic competition starting next month.
Booted out of Super Rugby three years ago, the Force are rare winners from the coronavirus pandemic, with the Perth-based franchise to join old rivals the NSW Waratahs, Brumbies, Queensland Reds and Melbourne Rebels in the new tournament.
SANZAAR officials are clinging to the hope of salvaging the Super Rugby season, which was this week suspended seven rounds into the 18-round season, and have yet to rule out playing a finals series.
That would potentially feature the winners of Australia’s internal home-and-away competition proposed to start on April 3 and presumably conference winners from any similar New Zealand and South African tournament.
The domestic tournament will see Australia’s five professional rugby outfits playing together for the first time since 2017 after the suspension of mining billionaire Andrew Forrest’s World Global Rugby freed up the Force.
Rugby Australia on Friday night said discussions were continuing at SANZAAR level and with competition broadcasters on the specifics of the draw and finals format.
All matches will be played in closed venues in line with current Australian government restrictions on public gatherings.
According to Nine Media, Forrest has approved a plan to enable the Force to rejoin the fold – provided government restrictions and guidelines on travel and gatherings allow it.
“Rugby Australia, the four Australian Super Rugby teams and RUPA are united behind the continuation of Super Rugby in 2020 and have been intensively working towards a competition solution with our SANZAAR partners over the past six days,” said RA boss Raelene Castle.
“There are still some elements to work through as a group, but we are extremely confident that we will deliver a meaningful product for the remainder of the season for fans and broadcasters.”
Castle said while the focus had been on developing a competition model that would enable RA to meet their commitments to fans and broadcasters, careful attention had also been given to protect the welfare of our players, support staff and match officials under the new proposed model.
“The Chief Medical Officers of each nation have been integral to these discussions, and together with the announcement of the new competition we will be announcing a range of measures and protocols to be introduced for the remainder of the season in the interest of protecting and safeguarding our athletes,” she said.
“In what has been a challenging time for everyone in our sport, we have seen the rugby bodies in Australia come together to put their full weight behind finding a way for our game to continue in 2020.”
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well this didn’t go ahead, so they didn’t beat the Waratahs.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
No we don't agree at all on that.
Micko
Roar Rookie
What's the deal with it? They saying there's too much kicking for penalty goals or kicking in general?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It was just a joke since it won’t be able to occur now
piru
Roar Rookie
How can we all agree on something that has yet to occur?
Micko
Roar Rookie
Just ignore their comment and move on then. Saying they don't deserve to have an opinion expressed because you don't like it is scary! :shocked:
piru
Roar Rookie
Actually our kids were getting face painting done, he was complimenting my boy on his choice of a rainbow with flowers rather than a superhero like some of the other boys.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yep. So we can all agree that the Force couldn’t even beat the dismal Waratahs this year?
piru
Roar Rookie
Mate I think with everyone shut up at home, any rugby is going to be watched regardless
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yes I’d imagine they would. It has meaning to them.
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
The Waratahs 23 from that match was: Robertson, Fitzpatrick, Kepu, Hanigan, Mumm, Dempsey, Hooper, Wells, Gordon, Foley, Clark, Horwitz, Horne, Naiyaravoro, Folau, Roach, Lolohau, Taavoa-Matau, McDulling, McCausley, Phipps, Mason, Kellaway. Only 9 of those are still on the Waratahs' roster - 14 have left, including 8 of the starters. The Waratahs won't remember the match - although Faulkner and Newsome might, seeing as they were playing for the Force back then!
Ex force fan
Guest
Duke University developed a 15 min blood test for virus antibodies.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Ok. So it’s that the players want to play SR. Smart not to waste money trying to keep them. Still not “sucking them up”. Unless them contracting club players such as Byron Ralston from Brothers is “sucking them up”. Which it’s not.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The NRC changes were approved. You’re so fixated on being defensive that you can’t see I’m having a go at an old stick in the mud type who complains about any changes, now advocating for our own changes.
ForceFan
Roar Rookie
Why should Twiggy pay more when Deegan didn't move for more $$s? Deegan wanted to have a go at SR and went with the blessing of the WF. Strange decision by Deegan as he was only given a 6 month contract. And he's not getting much game time at the Rebels. Maybe we'll see him back in Perth......
Onside
Guest
If this new comp escapes the ravages of Covid 19, and that's a massive IF, Twiggys check book could easily attract NH players in U.K., under contract and currently being paid by clubs not to play. UK clubs under financial stress might be happy to either lease a player or have them off the books . There are plenty of bookmakers happy to offer generous odds about the likelihood of any comp at all starting right now,
ForceFan
Roar Rookie
What do you not get about the FACT that the GRR law changes are approved by all of the necessary powers and the GRR game is still rugby? (otherwise it couldn't be called "Rugby") We're already seeing some of these changes starting to filter into the broader game of rugby.
ForceFan
Roar Rookie
Thrush is suffering from a niggling foot injury - o'wise all is well. He certainly is otherwise looking fit and rearing to get into the action.
ForceFan
Roar Rookie
Forgot Jackson Pugh – makes 10. With today’s announcement from Norths re Jordan Luke – make that 11 from 34. https://twitter.com/EaglesNorths/sta…25065982214144
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well I’m not complaining that players s choosing other contracts are stolen from me, for a start.