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Perth mining billionaire Andrew Forrest surprised many with his seemingly out of the blue idea for an independent rugby competition based out of Western Australia.
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However, according to Brett McKay on The Short Ball, plans have advanced to a stage where the Force will be apparently playing an international side in the near future.
McKay’s revelations did little to quell the skepticism of Short Ball hosts Scotty Stevenson and Mils Muliaina, whose facial expressions speak volumes.
While examples of breakaway competitions historically working do exist, they are few and far between. The most obvious parallel to what Forrest is proposing would be World Series Cricket in the 1970’s, which was headed by Australian media baron Kerry Packer. However, the main difference between the introduction of one-day cricket and a new rugby competition is the fact that one was new and the other is not.
The fact is that the Force, while popular in Perth, are not the sort of drawcard that can anchor an entire competition – especially in an Australian rugby market that is already struggling.
It’ll be fascinating to watch the reaction to the Wallabies when they run out onto nib Stadium, in front of a crowd that have made it clear that they’re fed up with the way the game is being run.
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