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The Western Force will be Eastern based for at least the first two rounds of the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific season, becoming the latest sports team affected by the Western Australian government’s hardline border stance.
Rugby Australia announced the Brumbies and Waratahs have agreed to swap home and away fixtures with the Force, who will be living out of a suitcase due to the restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Force’s home fixture against the Brumbies in round one will be played in Canberra and the Perth side is now set to host their ACT rivals in round six. The Perth fixture against the Tahs in round four will now be played in Sydney with the Force awarded hosting rights in round nine.
At this stage, the Force are hoping to play their home game against the Reds in round three but the venue is yet to be confirmed.
Several West Australian sports stars are up in arms over the ongoing delays in returning to their home state and the restrictions being put in place.
Australian cricket legend Adam Gilchrist was the latest to vent his fury on social media, tweeting “Can anyone remind me why WA residents looking to return home are having to wait until Feb 5 to get let in? Even though they will be in quarantine for two weeks. Why can’t they just head back now and start the process?”
Can anyone remind me why WA residents looking to return home are having to wait until Feb 5 to get let in? Even though they will be in quarantine for two weeks. Why can’t they just head back now and start the process?
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) January 30, 2022
Perth Glory’s A-League men’s and women’s teams have been on the road for more than a month and were forced to spend Christmas in quarantine while the Scorchers managed to win the BBL final last weekend over the Sydney Sixers despite having to use Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium as their de facto home ground.
Western Australia’s participation in the final month of the Sheffield Shield season is also under a heavy cloud due to the border dramas while the West Coast Fever’s preparations for the Super Netball season have also been affected with several players stuck in the eastern states.
In the NBL, the Wildcats have not played in Perth for more than a month and have postponed their home games on February 6 and 10 and will now face South East Melbourne twice at John Cain Arena on February 5 and 13.
The Western Force are liaising with the Western Australian government about when they can return and are exploring the possibility of playing at venues on the east coast due to the ongoing uncertainty.
Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos thanked the Force, Brumbies, Waratahs and Reds for “their understanding and the spirit of cooperation in which they’ve worked as we’ve progressed through these necessary changes”.
“Unfortunately, we are all now well versed in dealing with these kinds of changes as we continue to navigate the uncertainty that surrounds COVID-19. However, we have managed to find a solution which maintains the integrity of the draw and allows us to proceed with minimal disruptions to the season.
“By relocating to the east coast for the opening rounds of the competition, the Western Force players, staff and their families are making a significant sacrifice and we thank them for that.
“Rugby has faced many challenges of the last couple of years, but I am heartened by the spirit and resolve which has been displayed by the entire Rugby community as we’ve worked together to find solutions and positive outcomes for the game during a difficult time.”
Force CEO Tony Lewis said they would continue to work hard with the Western Australian government to get their seven home games played in Perth.
“To deliver seven home games for our members and fans is of the utmost importance for us, so we’ll continue. We want to see all WA rugby fans at HBF Park for what promises to be a massive season.”
Revised Super Rugby Pacific fixtures.
*all times are AWST
Round 1 – Brumbies v Western Force, GIO Stadium Canberra, 12:00pm, Sunday 20 February
Round 2 – Rebels v Western Force, AAMI Park, 4:45pm, Saturday 26 February
Round 3 – Western Force v Queensland Reds, TBC
Round 4 – NSW Waratahs v Western Force, Leichhardt Oval, 12:00pm, Sunday 13 March
Round 5 – Fijian Drua v Western Force, GIO Stadium, 11:35am, Saturday 19 March
Round 6 – Western Force v Brumbies, HBF Park Perth, 7:00pm, Friday 25 March
Round 7 – BYE
Round 8 – Western Force v Rebels, HBF Park Perth, 5:45pm, Friday 8 April
Round 9 – Western Force v NSW Waratahs, HBF Park Perth, 5:45pm, Saturday 16 April
Round 10 – Moana Pasifika v Western Force, AAMI Park, 6:30pm, Friday 22 April
Round 11 – Western Force v Blues, HBF Park Perth, 8:00pm, Friday 29 April
Round 12 – Western Force v Crusaders, HBF Park Perth, 5:45pm, Saturday 7 May
Round 13 – Highlanders v Western Force, Forsyth Barr Stadium, 3:05pm, Friday 13 May
Round 14 – Chiefs v Western Force, FMG Stadium Waikato, 12:35pm, Saturday 21 May
Round 15 – Western Force v Hurricanes, HBF Park Perth, 8:00pm, Saturday 28 May
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.