Western Force 2010
- Thread starter Ash
- Start date
- Status
). You missed a key word in my post: "most".
Ash
Michael Lynagh (62)
Re: Comings and goings at the Force
But please take Fetoai and Va'aulu. Byrnes looks like a hot head who can't be trusted either. The Faingaas could also be perhaps traded for a gain. Perhaps Edwards too, who went a long way backwards this year. Plenty of fat on offer for the 5th team...
Maybe Tom Carter could be the captain?
But please take Fetoai and Va'aulu. Byrnes looks like a hot head who can't be trusted either. The Faingaas could also be perhaps traded for a gain. Perhaps Edwards too, who went a long way backwards this year. Plenty of fat on offer for the 5th team...
Maybe Tom Carter could be the captain?
Biffo
Ken Catchpole (46)
Re: Comings and goings at the Force
errr, it has a little more than that going for it - from news.com.au and today's "The Australian":
Gold Coast looms as major player in expanded Super rugby competition
By Bret Harris
May 20, 2009 The Gold Coast has emerged as the dark horse to become the location for the fifth Australian team in an expanded Super rugby series.
ARU chief executive John O'Neill confirmed on Tuesday SANZAR had agreed to expand Super rugby to 15 teams in 2011 - and that the new franchise would be located in a newly created Australian conference.
The race for the 15th Super rugby franchise is expected to be between Gold Coast, Melbourne and western Sydney, although South Africa says Southern Kings, based in Eastern Cape province, would also make a bid.
An informed source with strong connections to powerbrokers in Australian rugby said a decision had already been made to base the team on the Gold Coast.
Melbourne had been the favourite for admission to Super rugby since losing to Perth for the most recent license awarded, in 2005.
A new ownership structure for the expansion team flagged by O'Neill may tip the scales in the Gold Coast's favour.
The four existing Australian Super rugby franchises - the Brumbies, New South Wales Waratahs, Queensland Reds and Western Force - are owned by their respective state or territory unions, but the fifth Australian team would be owned by the ARU in partnership with private equity.
The Gold Coast consortium involves local businessman and former ARU director Terry Jackman, who is a close friend of O'Neill.
The Melbourne bid is being driven by the Victorian Rugby Union, involving the traditional ownership model.
"The new team in Australia will have a different ownership model," O'Neill said.
"I won't go into an exact description, but we think it's a chance to bring in private equity, which is something we announced last year to assist with the funding of the game.
"There have been lessons learnt from the way in which Western Force was established and we want to make sure that we've got safeguards in place and an ownership model that suits the circumstances of today."
A major deterrent to the Gold Coast securing the licence is the possible impact on the Reds.
O'Neill is convinced the South African Rugby Union's support for Southern Kings has more to do with internal South African politics than a genuine desire to have Eastern Cape join Super rugby - at least not now.
"The practical man's approach ... well, the rational man's approach, is where else can it go?" O'Neill asked rhetorically.
"I've been forewarned that we will see a very loud and robust bid by the Southern Spears (sic) and my response is, well, that's fine, you'll see a very compelling and robust bid from maybe three locations in Australia.
"But the point I keep making ... looking across the three territories, where is there still real capacity for market share growth? Australia.
"We could spend a lot of time on this subject, but I don't think there's much point in pondering over the what-ifs of this 15th team being outside of Australia because I'm convinced it's going to be in Australia.
"It's imperative for Australian rugby to get this fifth team. We are on a mission to get it. We deserve it."
O'Neill rejected suggestions Australia did not have sufficient depth to carry a fifth Super team.
He is looking at filling the team with Australians currently playing overseas, Pacific Islanders, Japanese, Argentines and rugby league converts.
"I don't think populating the team will be too hard," O'Neill said. "We are not without a reasonable pool from which to fish."
The bidders will be asked to apply for the licence and SANZAR will undertake a selection process.
"We need a decision on location by no later than Christmas, so someone's going to get a nice Christmas present," O'Neill said.
Noddy said:
errr, it has a little more than that going for it - from news.com.au and today's "The Australian":
Gold Coast looms as major player in expanded Super rugby competition
By Bret Harris
May 20, 2009 The Gold Coast has emerged as the dark horse to become the location for the fifth Australian team in an expanded Super rugby series.
ARU chief executive John O'Neill confirmed on Tuesday SANZAR had agreed to expand Super rugby to 15 teams in 2011 - and that the new franchise would be located in a newly created Australian conference.
The race for the 15th Super rugby franchise is expected to be between Gold Coast, Melbourne and western Sydney, although South Africa says Southern Kings, based in Eastern Cape province, would also make a bid.
An informed source with strong connections to powerbrokers in Australian rugby said a decision had already been made to base the team on the Gold Coast.
Melbourne had been the favourite for admission to Super rugby since losing to Perth for the most recent license awarded, in 2005.
A new ownership structure for the expansion team flagged by O'Neill may tip the scales in the Gold Coast's favour.
The four existing Australian Super rugby franchises - the Brumbies, New South Wales Waratahs, Queensland Reds and Western Force - are owned by their respective state or territory unions, but the fifth Australian team would be owned by the ARU in partnership with private equity.
The Gold Coast consortium involves local businessman and former ARU director Terry Jackman, who is a close friend of O'Neill.
The Melbourne bid is being driven by the Victorian Rugby Union, involving the traditional ownership model.
"The new team in Australia will have a different ownership model," O'Neill said.
"I won't go into an exact description, but we think it's a chance to bring in private equity, which is something we announced last year to assist with the funding of the game.
"There have been lessons learnt from the way in which Western Force was established and we want to make sure that we've got safeguards in place and an ownership model that suits the circumstances of today."
A major deterrent to the Gold Coast securing the licence is the possible impact on the Reds.
O'Neill is convinced the South African Rugby Union's support for Southern Kings has more to do with internal South African politics than a genuine desire to have Eastern Cape join Super rugby - at least not now.
"The practical man's approach ... well, the rational man's approach, is where else can it go?" O'Neill asked rhetorically.
"I've been forewarned that we will see a very loud and robust bid by the Southern Spears (sic) and my response is, well, that's fine, you'll see a very compelling and robust bid from maybe three locations in Australia.
"But the point I keep making ... looking across the three territories, where is there still real capacity for market share growth? Australia.
"We could spend a lot of time on this subject, but I don't think there's much point in pondering over the what-ifs of this 15th team being outside of Australia because I'm convinced it's going to be in Australia.
"It's imperative for Australian rugby to get this fifth team. We are on a mission to get it. We deserve it."
O'Neill rejected suggestions Australia did not have sufficient depth to carry a fifth Super team.
He is looking at filling the team with Australians currently playing overseas, Pacific Islanders, Japanese, Argentines and rugby league converts.
"I don't think populating the team will be too hard," O'Neill said. "We are not without a reasonable pool from which to fish."
The bidders will be asked to apply for the licence and SANZAR will undertake a selection process.
"We need a decision on location by no later than Christmas, so someone's going to get a nice Christmas present," O'Neill said.
Re: Comings and goings at the Force
Why haven't the Force targetted Freier, Dunning and a five-eighth from Halangahu, Beale, Lucas, Cooper, To'omua or Lealiifano? I thought the whole idea of the fourth team was to give senior Australian rugby players more opportunities and to increase depth for the Wallabies. The way things are shaping up most of these blokes, and Beau Robinson, could all be warming benches next year.
Not good enough administrators. Lift your game.
Why haven't the Force targetted Freier, Dunning and a five-eighth from Halangahu, Beale, Lucas, Cooper, To'omua or Lealiifano? I thought the whole idea of the fourth team was to give senior Australian rugby players more opportunities and to increase depth for the Wallabies. The way things are shaping up most of these blokes, and Beau Robinson, could all be warming benches next year.
Not good enough administrators. Lift your game.
Re: Comings and goings at the Force
well I believe they have targeted Dunning (but it seems to have gone quiet, so he's obviously shopping himself off OS, or at least waiting until his club comeback which must be soon). And they have approached, apparently, the Brumbies about releasing To'omua or Lealiifano, but all of those flyhalves you name I believe are under contract.
well I believe they have targeted Dunning (but it seems to have gone quiet, so he's obviously shopping himself off OS, or at least waiting until his club comeback which must be soon). And they have approached, apparently, the Brumbies about releasing To'omua or Lealiifano, but all of those flyhalves you name I believe are under contract.
F
formeropenside
Guest
Re: Comings and goings at the Force
The Brumbies have refused to release those players, and rightly so. Why the hell would you help out the opposition next season, unless you can get a better deal in return?
For instance, Qld should offer to fix some Force problems - we'll give them the Fingers, and get Richard Brown released to come to Qld.
I'm really looking forward to seeing the Force run around next year with Sharpe in the 10 jersey.
The Brumbies have refused to release those players, and rightly so. Why the hell would you help out the opposition next season, unless you can get a better deal in return?
For instance, Qld should offer to fix some Force problems - we'll give them the Fingers, and get Richard Brown released to come to Qld.
I'm really looking forward to seeing the Force run around next year with Sharpe in the 10 jersey.
F
formeropenside
Guest
Re: Comings and goings at the Force
Someone around here has to be!
Noddy said:Lol
You are a vindictive prick fos!
Someone around here has to be!
the gambler
Dave Cowper (27)
Re: Comings and goings at the Force
Apparently Mitch Inman has been signed by the Force. Yet another Syd Uni 2nd Grader making Super Rugby.
Apparently Mitch Inman has been signed by the Force. Yet another Syd Uni 2nd Grader making Super Rugby.
- Status