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Western Force deny rumours they will be cut from Super Rugby

Western Force players during their Super Rugby clash with Crusaders

Western Force have released a statement denying reports they are in line to be axed from Super Rugby, should the competition opt for a revamp.

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It has been suggested Super Rugby will be reduced from 18 to 15 teams by governing body SANZAAR for 2018-19, with some media reports naming Force as Australia’s representative to make way.

Those rumours emerged on Monday, and Force were swift in issuing a riposte via an official release, insisting the claims are false.

“RugbyWA and the Road Safety Western Force would like to issue the following statement,” it read.

“Under no circumstances do we believe today’s speculation around the future of the Road Safety Western Force to be true.

“Two and half weeks ago, through a national phone link-up, all clubs were told that the ARU, through the governing body, SANZAAR, was investigating a number of issues and those issues had to be resolved prior to a decision being made to reduce any of the Australian franchises.

“There has been no further contact from the Australian Rugby Union to any of the Western Force players or staff, so at this time there is no further comment on the matter until substantiated facts are put forward.

“Until then the organisation will be business as per usual, with the team taking on the Blues in Auckland this Saturday.”

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Force have lost three of their opening four matches of the 2017 season.

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Nickers 37 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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