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Andrew Forrest has issued a scathing statement today, accusing the Australian Rugby Union of a “charade” and misleading the public in relation to the recently-announced Axing of the Western Force from Super Rugby.
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Forrest has called for the resignation of Cameron Clyne, claiming that the ARU Chairman lied to the public about his reasons for culling the Force from Super Rugby.
WATCH: Andrew Forrest’s Full Statement Below:
Mr Andrew Forrest AO made a statement to the media this morning in regards to his current stance on the Australian Super Rugby situation. pic.twitter.com/nuYmr7YM8m
— Western Force (@westernforce) August 30, 2017
Forrest, a staunch supporter of the Force and a recent recruit to the organisation, said that he only stepped in to what has been a long-running saga when he “became suspicious that a just decision based on merit was not going to be made”. The staunch advocate for rugby in Western Australia went on to suggest that the ARU had decided as early as February 2017 to cut the Force based on legal advice that made this the easier option.
“[The document] shows clearly that in late February this year, the advice was received and taken to cut the Western Force for no other reason apart from legal advice”. – Andrew Forrest
This assertion is contrary to previous statements on the matter from the ARU, which have aimed to instill the belief that the cutting of the Force in favour of the Melbourne Rebels franchise was made entirely on merit and for sound commercial reasons.
The ARU issued a statement this afternoon in response to the allegations made by Forrest. Of particular note was the abject denial of the existence of any document containing the information at the heart of Forrest’s claims:
“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.” – Cameron Clyne
Whether accurate or not, the claims and statements made by Andrew Forrest and the Western Force further highlight the uphill battles ahead for the ARU as it attempts to claw back credibility and support from a diminishing fan base.
ARU statement in response to Andrew Forrest today. pic.twitter.com/JroyD5ZRYC
— Beth Newman (@bethknewman) August 30, 2017
Updates to Come…
Comments on RugbyPass
No doubt Razor will want to kick the 2024 campaign off with a decisive selection of the top match fit players to insure his selection as the appointed coach has maximum impact. We the supporters and critics will settle for nothing less because historically it is what we have become ingrained and accustomed to. With that in mind and the distinct fall from grace of his beloved crusaders we will expect him to stamp his mark in the same way he left his old post.
9 Go to commentsI would've expected a better turn around in response to the changes within the team and its management. Lacking in my opinion is the skill sets that once was and now seemingly vacant within the squads regular front runners. Furthermore there seems to be no set game plan, the accuracy that once was is no more, the quality off the bench were poor matchups and frankly I feel a lot has to do with the coaching. Never thought i’d be critising the sadas to this degree.
5 Go to commentsAverage AB captain by recent standards. Speaks to the wider issue
9 Go to commentsWholesome lad, but no longer test level. At all
9 Go to commentsThis game was always going to be close, Canada have such a dominant pack and the Black Ferns have come unstuck in that area against teams like France and England in the past.
2 Go to commentsA distinct discomfort with the officiating they were probably selected from the local IRA narcos branch along with the commentators bloody fly tippers.
1 Go to commentsWow, never thought I would read that
2 Go to commentsExcellent match. Great to see Keenan and Ryan back for Leinster. Super result for Ulster. Season is turning around.
1 Go to comments“We need eight or nine new players, who are hard-wearing and durable and experienced Premiership performers”. So why are they scouting a retired fullback who himself admits that his “body is broken”?
1 Go to commentsBrumbies hand, knocked a Crusaders hand. Therefore, knock on in goal. Crusaders, goal line drop out should’ve been awarded. most likely after that 24 each at full time, so extra time would’ve been the right an entertaining outcome. Act Jim
1 Go to commentsSpeell cehck
1 Go to commentsColeman is gaawwwwnnn.
1 Go to commentsnext SA head coach?
3 Go to commentsGreat try by van Poortvliet.
1 Go to commentsThey have been cruelled by injuries but almost nobody (Sevu Reece and Fletcher Newell big exceptions) has played above himself which regularly happened before. Surely Scott Robertson had maintained the recruitment programme and it looks like a reasonable squad. Last in this competition will stall a lot of careers. Penny seems likeable. But it’s not enough even though this was better. We haven’t been good enough and it’s not helped by the “it’s been 15 years since… “etc “after nearly every match. Seems somehow a soft gifting of something once valuable. Kieran Read giving comments last week almost choked describing the easy surrender of possession by the forwards. I’d love to think that the senior players some of whom are back can show enough pride in the jersey to test the Blues next week.
5 Go to commentsWho will Joe select for the back three with so many in form candidates? Just hope he doesn’t get shafted like Dave Rennie and to a lesser extent Deans.
8 Go to commentsAlways reluctant to blame a coach when losses rack up, but Penney must go. The backline is dysfunctional and the coach must carry the can. No cohesion, no idea and in many cases, minimal skill. The trains out of Roma St depart faster than the ball from Crusaders’ set pieces. Wouldn’t be surprised if the forwards went on strike.
5 Go to commentsAdding to earlier comment. Cullen Grace has been playing great at no6. Lio-Willie , who was on fire a few weeks ago, had a bad game. I think Cullen should have been moved to 8 earlier, Dominic Gardiner on earlier. Feel for Quinten Strange , put in a big shift .
8 Go to commentsWe dominated the scrums Ben Curry was all over pitch again .Surely James Harper got to be one of best English tightheads
1 Go to commentsRoos is a better option at 6 than 8 for the boks. Needs to work on his windgat though.
1 Go to comments