Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

ARU denies Force's billionaire backer's claims of Super Rugby 'ambush'

Western Force celebrate Matt Hodgson’s try

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has denied allegations it decided to axe the Western Force from Super Rugby as early as February, in response to the process being labelled as “an ambush” and “a charade”.

ADVERTISEMENT

Earlier this month, the ARU announced the Force would be cut from the competition, along with South African sides the Cheetahs and Southern Kings, to reduce the number of teams from 18 to 15.

The Cheetahs and the Kings have since joined Pro14, but the Force – with the backing of mining billionaire Andrew Forrest – are fighting their case in the courts.

On Wednesday, Forrest spoke to reporters and claimed to have received an ARU document which he alleged was proof the governing body had taken the decision back in February based on legal advice and not for financial or sporting reasons, as the ARU stated.

“It’s clear now with the document I have received that the Western Force were ambushed,” said Forrest, who also called on ARU chairman Cameron Clyne to resign.

“There has been a charade which I think has been inducted onto the Australian sport-loving people.

“It [the document] shows that late in February this year the advice was received and taken to the cut the Western Force for no other reason apart from legal advice.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Not for merit, but choosing to cut because they [the ARU] could bully a team into submission. I’m here to say you cannot bully this team, your ambush has been sprung, you have been discovered.”

In response, Clyne categorically denied Forrest’s accusations.

“The decision to discontinue the Super Rugby licence of the Western Force was made by the ARU Board on August 11, 2017 and this was communicated publicly immediately when that decision was made,” a statement read.

“For the record, RugbyWA has been provided several opportunities to put its best business case for the Western Force to the ARU Board, from April 10 right up until our final request for this information on August 2, 2017.

“Andrew, in his press conference this morning, referred to a document or documents which indicated that a decision had been made to remove the Western Force in February. This was not the case and there are no documents which contain this information.”

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

N
Nickers 31 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

41 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors Scott Robertson responds about handling errors
Search