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Force and ARU arbitration process under way

Western Force celebrate Matt Hodgson’s try

Western Force’s battle to remain in Super Rugby entered a key stage when an arbitration process started on Monday.

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The Perth-based franchise’s future is up in the air after it was announced in April that either the Force or Melbourne-based Rebels would lose their Super Rugby spot along with Cheetahs and Southern Kings.

It will be the Rebels who retain their status in a reduced 15-team competition next season if Australian Rugby Union (ARU) get the arbitration verdict.

The ARU-owned Force are expected to launch an appeal if the ruling goes against RugbyWA.

Mining billionaire Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest gave the Force a timely boost by pledging his support to the club’s ‘Own The Force’ campaign, which was launched with the aim of enabling fans to buy the club.

RugbyWA chairman Tony Howarth said: “Andrew’s idea of promoting community participation by doubling the benefit for the cause will have a wonderful impact on both the professional game but more importantly provide funds for RugbyWA to support the growth of grass roots rugby in Western Australia at the community level ranging from our under-6s through to junior and schoolboy rugby, women’s rugby and clubs both in Perth and regional areas.

“We are looking forward to sitting down with Andrew to work through the implementation of the proposal.”

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Nickers 34 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.

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