Force 2023

[eastman]

It is a shame that Twiggy is now more interested in energy transition/ green hydrogen rather than turning the Force into a rugby superpower.

 

[PhilClinton]

I think Twiggy is really invested in the Force at a personal level, he wouldn’t have gone in to resurrect them and give WA a professional team again if he wasn’t.

But he’s also smart enough to know that throwing buckets of cash at a team which is playing in a competition that has fallen significantly down the standings in terms of viewership engagement and quality (players going overseas) isn’t exactly a great business move.

The comparison to PSG was made earlier, and unfortunately I think rugby in Australia beyond signing a Messi or Mbappe rugby equivalent because there simply isn’t that type of fanfare around a rugby player. Maybe Kerevi or Koribete could be marketed like that, but still quite a gap in terms of Star power to what the PSG signings bring worldwide.

Building a strong unified team which could win games and help get bums in seats will do more.

 

[Marce]

The comparison to PSG was made earlier, and unfortunately I think rugby in Australia beyond signing a Messi or Mbappe rugby equivalent because there simply isn’t that type of fanfare around a rugby player. Maybe Kerevi or Koribete could be marketed like that, but still quite a gap in terms of Star power to what the PSG signings bring worldwide.

Building a strong unified team which could win games and help get bums in seats will do more.

I agree, with no salary caps and a more interested Twiggy the best way to help RA would be signing the best Aussie players living overseas: Koroibete, Kerevi, Skelton, Arnold, Quade, etc

 

[Clubhouse coach]

I agree, with no salary caps and a more interested Twiggy the best way to help Rugby Australia would be signing the best Aussie players living overseas: Koroibete, Kerevi, Skelton, Arnold, Quade, etc

Only last year Twiggy publicly stated that he wants the Force to be a premier organisation in World rugby and that includes a team who are winning championships.
And with coaching and recruitment they are making solid progression towards that goal, especially in their academy and signing young players with potential.

 

[Adam84]

It strikes me as though the Force/Twiggy are investing more in the coaching and improving pathways/academy structures for the Force rather then spending on big name recruits, probably a good thing as one of those models is more sustainable long term then the other.

 

[7137]

……I don't need to read a paper to know that is a tiny contract….

Force isn't in a position to rebuke its partner.

kind of contradicting yourself there. Small contract would suggest the mud may not be worth it.
Force would be in a better position to walk away than NZ. It’d be bloody good marketing on their part if they did to take the moral high ground over the All Blacks.

 

[7137]

It is a shame that Twiggy is now more interested in energy transition/ green hydrogen rather than turning the Force into a rugby superpower.

No shortage of people willing to tell others how they should spend their money.

 

[Marce]

kind of contradicting yourself there. Small contract would suggest the mud may not be worth it.
Force would be in a better position to walk away than NZ. It’d be bloody good marketing on their part if they did to take the moral high ground over the All Blacks.

I'm not sure about it. In a market where Tahs and Reds have played without a major sponsor on the chest cause they couldn't find it. I don't know if Force could replace it

 

[7137]

I'm not sure about it. In a market where Tahs and Reds have played without a major sponsor on the chest cause they couldn't find it. I don't know if Force could replace it

Couldn’t find and waited for the right offer are two different things. Besides. The Tahs didn’t collapse with a clean jersey. For the Force. This too shall pass

 

[ForceFan]

I find all of this virtue signalling quite tiresome.
There are any number of examples which show that this is the World we live in.
The fine in this case was relatively minor.
In 2009, Pfizer was hit with with a US$2.3 Billion settlement including the biggest criminal fine in US history (US$1.3 Billion) but it didn't stop the World getting into bed with Pfizer when it needed a Covid-19 vaccination.
Anyone who thinks that losing Altrad as a FOJ sponsor will impact the WF in 2023 doesn't comprehend the level of support provided by Andrew Forrest and his related companies.
The WF still has to work within the salary cap imposed by Super Rugby/RAu - so there is little chance to buy a rugby superpower.
But there's still plent of opportunity to build one from the grassroots including a significant investment in the WFWomen's team.

 

[Adam84]

I'm not sure about it. In a market where Tahs and Reds have played without a major sponsor on the chest cause they couldn't find it. I don't know if Force could replace it

Reds haven’t played without a major sponsor.

 

[Adam84]

I find all of this virtue signalling quite tiresome.
There are any number of examples which show that this is the World we live in.
The fine in this case was relatively minor.
In 2009, Pfizer was hit with with a US$2.3 Billion settlement including the biggest criminal fine in US history (US$1.3 Billion) but it didn't stop the World getting into bed with Pfizer when it needed a Covid-19 vaccination.
Anyone who thinks that losing Altrad as a FOJ sponsor will impact the WF in 2023 doesn't comprehend the level of support provided by Andrew Forrest and his related companies.
The WF still has to work within the salary cap imposed by Super Rugby/RAu - so there is little chance to buy a rugby superpower.
But there's still plent of opportunity to build one from the grassroots including a significant investment in the WFWomen's team.

Mohed Altrad was given a suspended prison sentence after been found guilty of corruption and influence peddling to secure a FFR rugby sponsorship, i think it’s a bit past ‘virtue signalling’ at this point..

 

[Slim 293]

I find all of this virtue signalling quite tiresome.
There are any number of examples which show that this is the World we live in.
The fine in this case was relatively minor.
In 2009, Pfizer was hit with with a US$2.3 Billion settlement including the biggest criminal fine in US history (US$1.3 Billion) but it didn't stop the World getting into bed with Pfizer when it needed a Covid-19 vaccination.
Anyone who thinks that losing Altrad as a FOJ sponsor will impact the WF in 2023 doesn't comprehend the level of support provided by Andrew Forrest and his related companies.
The WF still has to work within the salary cap imposed by Super Rugby/RAu - so there is little chance to buy a rugby superpower.
But there's still plent of opportunity to build one from the grassroots including a significant investment in the WFWomen's team.

The phrase… Virtue signaling?

Pfizer whataboutery?

Christ, I hope you weren’t following Andrew Tate…

 

[cyclopath]

The phrase… Virtue signaling?

Pfizer whataboutery?

Christ, I hope you weren’t following Andrew Tate…

Poor Andrew finding out that smalldickenergy is probably not renewable.

 

[dru]

It is a shame that Twiggy is now more interested in energy transition/ green hydrogen rather than turning the Force into a rugby superpower.

Strange concept of “shame”. Personally I’m loving his involvement in both.

 

[Adam84]

I assumed it was a facetious remark

 

[dru]

I assumed it was a facetious remark

Oh, fair enough. Thought it odd.

 

[Marce]

Couldn’t find and waited for the right offer are two different things. Besides. The Tahs didn’t collapse with a clean jersey. For the Force. This too shall pass

Even for NSW, a traditional rugby state, is difficult to get the right sponsorship. Obviously Twiggy wouldn't allow Force to die but you need genuine resources like any business and Altrad is that kind of source

 

[Marce]

Reds haven’t played without a major sponsor.

I'm not 100% sure. I remember Reds struggled to find a major sponsor and maybe at the very end of Preseason they found it. Most of the launch photos were without a sponsor on the chest.

The thing is, Australian Sport market is not an easy enviroment for rugby teams ATM and being a minor club in a non-traditional rugby state is quite difficult to avoid any genuine company who wants to sponsor you.

The same thing happens with Santos, not many are happy with that sponsorship due to their business ethics but Tahs and Reds can't get rid of them easily, even the Wallabies can't, the most recognized rugby brand in the country so

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Forrest has made it clear that he would drop more $$$ into the Force and Australian rugby once the overall governance model changes. The new players at RA have done a great job getting closer to him and appeasing his issues with what happened in the past. I too agree that a one management model would be a huge improvement over the current federated one. It is a tough job to get everyone onboard but I think they they are slowly moving in the right direction