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Western Force slam ARU as Super Rugby place hangs in balance

A Western Force fan holds a sign protesting their potential expulsion from Super Rugby

Western Force say the process being used to evaluate the futures of the club and Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby is “inconsistent and inequitable”.

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Super Rugby’s governing body SANZAAR announced on Sunday the competition is to be cut to 15 teams, with two South African franchises and one Australian side to lose their place.

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has since confirmed the Force and the Rebels are the two teams facing the axe and it will be consulting with both clubs.

But, in response, a Force statement read: “The RugbyWA Board had an unsatisfactory meeting with Australian Rugby Union (ARU) management representatives today that highlighted that the terms of the assessment and process being used to evaluate ourselves and the Rebels were inconsistent and inequitable.

“Discussions also failed to address the responsibilities that exist in the Alliance Agreement between RugbyWA and the ARU and we felt in order to protect our position it was necessary to issue legal proceedings to protect our rights under the Alliance Agreement.

“Initially we had particular concerns about the 72-hour deadline to respond, however we have now been advised that we will have further time to present our business case.

“Today [Monday] further highlighted the importance of the Own the Force campaign to strengthen our negotiating position with the Australian Rugby Union to ultimately secure the Road Safety Western Force in Perth.

“We urge all supporters who pledged their commitment to now consider becoming a shareholder of the Western Force Owners Ltd.

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“In the meantime, we will work with our partners, staff and Government to develop the best possible business case to take to the ARU.”

The Rebels also released a statement, which said: “It’s business as usual for the Melbourne Rebels despite this morning’s announcement by the ARU.

“While disappointed by the prolonged decision-making process, the club is solely focused on Saturday night’s Australian derby against the Brumbies at AAMI Park.

“The club is increasingly frustrated by the impact this process has had on Rebels players, staff, members, fans and partners and the club wishes the management of the issue had been better handled by SANZAAR or the ARU.”

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Nickers 26 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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