Force 2018

[upthereds#!]

The boss man likes who he likes. I think there's four blokes likely to get a jumper.

Coleman
DHP
TPN
Hardwick
An outside chance is Cowan, although the knock on Pek is he is too small. He has been in ripper form this year.

Pek is too small? I hope that isn't what is being said @ 185cm 116kg

James Slipper 185cm 117kg (at his heaviest)
Scott Sio 185cm 115-117kg
Sef Faagase 185cm 116kg

Robertson? 180cm 111kg (107 in last tahs game)

 

[TOCC]

I reckon Slipper was down to 105-110 at certain points in the past 12 months as well

 

[jimmydubs]

Has he learnt to tackle yet? I wouldn't have him in the side until he can be relied on in defense. I am a fan of Hodge at 13.

While I agree with you that would rule out a couple more of the most likely starting backline. Sigh

 

[Brumby Runner]

While I agree with you that would rule out a couple more of the most likely starting backline. Sigh

And probably should do. Defense should be looked at as equal in importance to attacking skills or game management etc. If a player is reluctant or is often found out in defense, then his spot should be in jeopardy.

 

[ShtinaTina]

Is this the first mention publicly from the ARU that 5 teams may stay? Interesting perspective from the ARU boardroom.

I think you're right. It bodes well.

 

[Moono75]

Good work by Nick Taylor at the West Australian!​

​

Bill Pulver’s Western Force assurances turn into empty promises​

​

​

Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver may not like to be reminded of pledges he made to Western Force as he tries to axe the club from next year’s Super Rugby competition. More than once he said the future was safe. They are assurances that have turned into empty promises.​

​

On Monday the Force finally get to confront their would-be executioner when they face the ARU in their unprecedented legal battle for survival. The long running farce moves to behind closed doors arbitration, 113 days since the under siege ARU boldly pronounced it was going to cut the Force or Melbourne Rebels.​

​

RugbyWA is confident its legal team, led by Malcolm McCusker, one of WA’s most experienced legal figures, has a watertight case. McCusker will argue that, among clauses in the ARU alliance with the Force, there is a guarantee to keep a side in Perth until the current broadcast deal ends in three years.​

​

The ARU will claim that because two South African teams have been cut and SANZAAR agreed to losing an Australian team, it brings a new deal. The hearing is listed for five days but even when a decision comes down it will not end the fight. If the Force is successful the cash-strapped ARU will have to consider whether it can afford a further expensive and lengthy battle against a club that has billionaire Andrew Forrest and a growing number of other big money players firmly in their corner.​

​

The Force has also already flagged it will seek costs expected to be about $650,000.​

If the arbitrator agrees with the ARU the Force will look at an appeal to the Supreme Court and are investigating all other legal avenues. None of that is good news for the ARU that insists it needs to cut a club because it does not have the financial capability or player depth to justify five teams.​

​

Yet it will not explain what will happen if the Force win arbitration and Rebels owner Andrew Cox refuses to sell back his license. The standard answer to questions about a plan B is that “all will be revealed when and if necessary” but the ARU may have to go cap in hand to SANZAAR, apologizing for the debacle it has created.​

​

A SANZAAR spokesman said that because of arbitration and requests from legal entities there would be no comment on the tournament, potential outcomes, what may eventuate and what the future may hold.​

​

“As per the SANZAAR Exco (executive committee) decision in April and subsequent announcement on April 9 the 2018 Super Rugby tournament is to be restructured to include 15 teams: five from NZ, four from Australia, four from RSA, one from Japan and one from Argentina,” he said.​

​

There seems no doubt the ARU believed it could discard the Force. It claimed the axe would fall within 48-72 hours of the announcement, made minutes after the Force’s 46-41 victory over Southern Kings at nib Stadium. Even as the announcement was being made two senior ARU staff were flying to Perth with their ill-conceived plan to oust the Force. Ironically the two men, chief operating officer Rob Clarke and chief financial officer Todd Day have both resigned.​

​

But if the governing body thought the Force were simply going to roll over and disappear from Australia’s rugby landscape they had seriously misjudged the strength of feeling.​

​

They launched a massive off-field offensive that stunned the ARU.​

• They began legal action, issuing a writ claiming the ARU were bound by the alliance agreement.
• They found flaws in the business evaluation on which the ARU had based its argument to cull the club.
• They launched the Own The Force campaign to sell shares and raise upwards of $5 million to turn the franchise into Australia’s biggest fan-owned club.
• They struck a $1.5 million sponsorship with the Road Safety Commission, the biggest 12-month deal ever signed by an Australian Super Rugby franchise, with a three-year rollover renewal option.
• They received the full backing of mining magnate Forrest and other influential business figures in a fighting fund.

​

The fight is now in the hands of the legal teams but whatever the outcome it is hard to see the damage to the integrity of Australian rugby being fully restored for a long time to come.​

​

What Bill Pulver said February 2013, on his first visit to Perth after his appointment.​

“No chance in the world that there will not be a Western Force. ​

​

“We are 150 per cent committed to the franchises that we have. The future development of rugby, unquestionably in my mind, will involve the Perth team. ​

​

“The five franchises are non-negotiable. I don’t think I can make that any clearer. It is crystal clear in my mind there will always be five franchises.”​

​

March 2016, after talks with RugbyWA and the State Government.​

“I would be very confident in telling you that the Western Force are going to be a successful part of the Perth sporting scene for a long, long time.​

​

“I still am very much a supporter of a national footprint for Super Rugby and you do not want to do anything that’s going to have any negative on the local community engagement.”​

​

November 2016, on the Own The Force scheme to buy back their license from the ARU and become financially independent.​

“If our Super Rugby clubs were put in a fundamentally stronger position financially, that would influence the decision. The dialogue that’s going on out west is incredibly relevant.”​

 

[Moono75]

Western Force Awards Night.......and the winners are:

• Nathan Sharpe Medal: Isi Naisarani
• Members’ MVP: Tatafu Polota-Nau
• Geoffrey Stooke Force Man Award: Bill Meakes
• Rising Star: Michael Ruru

Well done to TPN.....changed my mind...a genuinely good bloke and great to have at your club

 

[ShtinaTina]

Western Force Awards Night...and the winners are:

• Nathan Sharpe Medal: Isi Naisarani
• Members’ MVP: Tatafu Polota-Nau
• Geoffrey Stooke Force Man Award: Bill Meakes
• Rising Star: Michael Ruru

Well done to TPN...changed my mind.a genuinely good bloke and great to have at your club

Well done to all the awards winners! I'm sure it was a great night.

I've never quite understood the misconception people have of TPN, which is very often changed after meeting the man.
He's always been a clubman, dedicated to growing the game & grassroots rugby. Just ask any Parramatta Two Blues member or Waratahs member.
I'm glad to see the Sea of Blue have embraced him, I'm sure it's very important to him.

 

[Jon]

Well done to all the awards winners! I'm sure it was a great night.

I've never quite understood the misconception people have of TPN, which is very often changed after meeting the man.
He's always been a clubman, dedicated to growing the game & grassroots rugby. Just ask any Parramatta Two Blues member or Waratahs member.
I'm glad to see the Sea of Blue have embraced him, I'm sure it's very important to him.

His performances for the force and meeting him earlier this year have made me feel rather bad about my past criticism of him

 

[Killer]

His performances for the force and meeting him earlier this year have made me feel rather bad about my past criticism of him

I was ambivalent about his arrival because of the likely effect on our young hookers who were doing very well. That seems to have had its affect with Harry Scoble leaving probably bc of no game time, and that Taf loves it here and is not going anywhere.
In saying that Taf has been amazing, his play and his leadership has been a big plus to an already very good pack and team culture.

 

[ShtinaTina]

His performances for the force and meeting him earlier this year have made me feel rather bad about my past criticism of him

Exactly, I've never understood where the criticism has come from, enlighten me? Was it a Waratah thing? (by no means am I being facetious)

I was ambivalent about his arrival because of the likely effect on our young hookers who were doing very well. That seems to have had its affect with Harry Scoble leaving probably bc of no game time, and that Taf loves it here and is not going anywhere.
In saying that Taf has been amazing, his play and his leadership has been a big plus to an already very good pack and team culture.

I get what might've concerned you, but shouldn't having a world class, well meaning & knowledgeable hooker be something great for a developing player?
The wealth of knowledge that comes with Taaf, is immeasurable, and is certainly the something the Tahs are missing in their set up now.

 

[Killer]

I get what might've concerned you, but shouldn't having a world class, well meaning & knowledgeable hooker be something great for a developing player?
The wealth of knowledge that comes with Taaf, is immeasurable, and is certainly the something the Tahs are missing in their set up now.

For sure, but I think you learn more playing against those players at the highest level. Training is not the same, and training and not getting a run would be the pits.
But Taf is at such a high level in all ways, and it is professional rugby, that I have no problems with him being the no 1 Hooker.
As others have said he has far exceeded my expectations and from what I understand he loves the lifestyle here, the rugby culture and team environment that he really does have no intention of leaving. Great news for us.

 

[ShtinaTina]

For sure, but I think you learn more playing against those players at the highest level. Training is not the same, and training and not getting a run would be the pits.
But Taf is at such a high level in all ways, and it is professional rugby, that I have no problems with him being the no 1 Hooker.
As others have said he has far exceeded my expectations and from what I understand he loves the lifestyle here, the rugby culture and team environment that he really does have no intention of leaving. Great news for us.

I'm glad he's had such an impact on you, the club & members.
Taaf's a gem, and yes, he's been pretty public about how much he's enjoying the West.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

The only criticism I've seen of seen of Taf was his throwing and blatant disregard for his safety. Every single person I've heard or talked to about have remarked about what a top bloke he is. I saw him at McGillivray a couple of weeks ago when Uni played Soaks.

He's been fantastic at the Force this year and for rugby in general in WA.

 

[D-Box]

The only criticism I've seen of seen of Taf was his throwing and blatant disregard for his safety. Every single person I've heard or talked to about have remarked about what a top bloke he is. I saw him at McGillivray a couple of weeks ago when Uni played Soaks.

He's been fantastic at the Force this year and for rugby in general in WA.

Best bit of this was he was watching the 3s and 4s

Sent from my HTC_0PJA10 using Tapatalk

 

[ShtinaTina]

Best bit of this was he was watching the 3s and 4s

Sent from my HTC_0PJA10 using Tapatalk

Sounds like standard Taaf, it's what he does

 

[ForceFan]

Even better with some footage.....
https://www.reddit.com/r/rugbyunion...hodgson_the_cinderella_story_by_mick_colliss/

 

[Scooter]

Western Force Awards Night...and the winners are:

• Nathan Sharpe Medal: Isi Naisarani
• Members’ MVP: Tatafu Polota-Nau
• Geoffrey Stooke Force Man Award: Bill Meakes
• Rising Star: Michael Ruru

Well done to TPN...changed my mind.a genuinely good bloke and great to have at your club

Well done to all winners. Really happy in particular for Isi Naisarani, who I was really impressed with in the NRC. If it wasn't for the Force he may not have got a chance this season. Then he goes and wins player of the year. Another example of why in my opinion all five teams should survive #strongerasfive

 

[Forcefield]

Love the sentiment, but Naisarani was always going to get a gig. The Force had apparently locked him in pre-NRC. I think only the Rebels have been better served by an 8 this year and Mafi is ineligible long term.

 

[lou75]

Good work by Nick Taylor at the West Australian!​

​

Bill Pulver’s Western Force assurances turn into empty promises​

​

​

Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver may not like to be reminded of pledges he made to Western Force as he tries to axe the club from next year’s Super Rugby competition. More than once he said the future was safe. They are assurances that have turned into empty promises.​

​

On Monday the Force finally get to confront their would-be executioner when they face the ARU in their unprecedented legal battle for survival. The long running farce moves to behind closed doors arbitration, 113 days since the under siege ARU boldly pronounced it was going to cut the Force or Melbourne Rebels.​

​

RugbyWA is confident its legal team, led by Malcolm McCusker, one of WA’s most experienced legal figures, has a watertight case. McCusker will argue that, among clauses in the ARU alliance with the Force, there is a guarantee to keep a side in Perth until the current broadcast deal ends in three years.​

​

The ARU will claim that because two South African teams have been cut and SANZAAR agreed to losing an Australian team, it brings a new deal. The hearing is listed for five days but even when a decision comes down it will not end the fight. If the Force is successful the cash-strapped ARU will have to consider whether it can afford a further expensive and lengthy battle against a club that has billionaire Andrew Forrest and a growing number of other big money players firmly in their corner.​

​

The Force has also already flagged it will seek costs expected to be about $650,000.​

If the arbitrator agrees with the ARU the Force will look at an appeal to the Supreme Court and are investigating all other legal avenues. None of that is good news for the ARU that insists it needs to cut a club because it does not have the financial capability or player depth to justify five teams.​

​

Yet it will not explain what will happen if the Force win arbitration and Rebels owner Andrew Cox refuses to sell back his license. The standard answer to questions about a plan B is that “all will be revealed when and if necessary” but the ARU may have to go cap in hand to SANZAAR, apologizing for the debacle it has created.​

​

A SANZAAR spokesman said that because of arbitration and requests from legal entities there would be no comment on the tournament, potential outcomes, what may eventuate and what the future may hold.​

​

“As per the SANZAAR Exco (executive committee) decision in April and subsequent announcement on April 9 the 2018 Super Rugby tournament is to be restructured to include 15 teams: five from NZ, four from Australia, four from RSA, one from Japan and one from Argentina,” he said.​

​

There seems no doubt the ARU believed it could discard the Force. It claimed the axe would fall within 48-72 hours of the announcement, made minutes after the Force’s 46-41 victory over Southern Kings at nib Stadium. Even as the announcement was being made two senior ARU staff were flying to Perth with their ill-conceived plan to oust the Force. Ironically the two men, chief operating officer Rob Clarke and chief financial officer Todd Day have both resigned.​

​

But if the governing body thought the Force were simply going to roll over and disappear from Australia’s rugby landscape they had seriously misjudged the strength of feeling.​

​

They launched a massive off-field offensive that stunned the ARU.​

• They began legal action, issuing a writ claiming the ARU were bound by the alliance agreement.
• They found flaws in the business evaluation on which the ARU had based its argument to cull the club.
• They launched the Own The Force campaign to sell shares and raise upwards of $5 million to turn the franchise into Australia’s biggest fan-owned club.
• They struck a $1.5 million sponsorship with the Road Safety Commission, the biggest 12-month deal ever signed by an Australian Super Rugby franchise, with a three-year rollover renewal option.
• They received the full backing of mining magnate Forrest and other influential business figures in a fighting fund.

​

The fight is now in the hands of the legal teams but whatever the outcome it is hard to see the damage to the integrity of Australian rugby being fully restored for a long time to come.​

​

What Bill Pulver said February 2013, on his first visit to Perth after his appointment.​

“No chance in the world that there will not be a Western Force. ​

​

“We are 150 per cent committed to the franchises that we have. The future development of rugby, unquestionably in my mind, will involve the Perth team. ​

​

“The five franchises are non-negotiable. I don’t think I can make that any clearer. It is crystal clear in my mind there will always be five franchises.”​

​

March 2016, after talks with RugbyWA and the State Government.​

“I would be very confident in telling you that the Western Force are going to be a successful part of the Perth sporting scene for a long, long time.​

​

“I still am very much a supporter of a national footprint for Super Rugby and you do not want to do anything that’s going to have any negative on the local community engagement.”​

​

November 2016, on the Own The Force scheme to buy back their license from the ARU and become financially independent.​

“If our Super Rugby clubs were put in a fundamentally stronger position financially, that would influence the decision. The dialogue that’s going on out west is incredibly relevant.”​

I agree that we must keep their past comments in the headlights so that they know they must be accountable and cannot simply rewrite history as their mood changes. He gave reassurances to WA and he must stand by his word of fall on his sword.