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Perth billionaire proposes radical plan to save the Force
By RugbyPass
Perth rugby fans showed their support for their and Super Rugby team yesterday, with around 8,000 gathering at Rugby WA headquarters.
The rally included a speech by WA mining magnate and staunch Force fan Andrew Forrest, who has been a vocal critic of the dumping. He assured those gathered that the fight had only just begun.
"This is absolutely not the end of the Western Force and not the end of rugby in Western Australia," he said.
"If anything, the hottest fires forge the strongest metals. This will make rugby in Western Australia stronger and stronger again."
Forrest, whose personal wealth is estimated at around $5 billion USD, also hinted at a radical proposal of starting their own pro rugby competition separate from the Australian Rugby Union.
"The ARU want to run a process that is not based on merit. If they want to run a process that is based on the lucky drawcard of where you happen to live, or where you happen to support your sport, then we will start our own international league from here." he said.
There was no more detail about the threat of breaking away, however it is obvious that Forrest has been inspired by the pragmatic moves of the Cheetahs and Kings of South Africa in joining the European Pro 14 competition.
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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