Where to for Super Rugby?

[RedsHappy]

(Extracts below, emphasis mine.)

ARU left stunned as Rob Clarke, who is seen as heir apparent to CEO Bill Pulver, tenders resignation​

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Iain Payten, The Daily Telegraph​

May 5, 2017 ​

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THE future of ARU chief executive Bill Pulver is looking increasingly shaky after his trusted deputy, Rob Clarke, announced he was leaving the troubled organisation.​

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Clarke informed staff and colleagues on Wednesday he had handed in his resignation as the ARU’s chief operating officer, and ended a 10-year stint in rugby officialdom.​

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Clarke had previously been the CEO of the Brumbies and the Rebels, after initially serving as the ARU COO in 2006-07. He was considered by many to be Pulver’s heir apparent as ARU chief executive.​

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The decision came as the ARU continues to be criticised for its handling of the Super Rugby downsizing saga, which has seen the Western Force take legal action against it getting axed, and the Melbourne Rebels threaten legal action too.​

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As one of the ARU’s chief strategists, Clarke was involved in the ARU’s decision to cut back to four teams and was even the ARU’s delegate in the SANZAAR working party that formulated a return to 15 teams.​

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He was, however, also one of the key architects of the rescue plan that saved the Force from going broke last year.​

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Clarke has received criticism for his role in the ugly saga and he was forced to defend himself against allegations from Perth that his past Brumbies connection had influenced the ARU’s call to guarantee the ACT’s club’s future.​

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Clarke declined to comment last night but NewsCorp understands the former advertising executive informed the ARU board of his decision to resign before Easter, in the same week the ARU board voted to cut a team.​

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Pulver has attempted to talk Clarke around since, without success.​

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While an ARU statement said Clarke had resigned “to pursue a different course along with his family”, it is understood the decision was, at least in part, driven by Clarke’s frustration with the enmity and bickering between the states and the ARU.​

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The impact of Clarke’s departure on Pulver’s tenure could be very significant, according to rugby powerbrokers.​

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Clarke, who took over from the deputy role initially crafted for Andrew Fagan before he left for the Adelaide Crows, is widely respected and provided much of the rugby nous for the ARU. He represented the organisation in many key negotiations, internally and externally.​

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Already under significant pressure for his handling of the Super saga, insiders say Pulver will struggle to step in and maintain the same relationships.​

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Pulver’s contact expires at the start of 2018, and though he said he’d like to reappointed, the CEO also said he’d walk away if the ARU board asked him to.​

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Pulver praised Clarke for a long and productive career in rugby.​

.........

 

[BLR]

I love how he is frustrated by the bickering between the states, if this is in relation to the cutting a team saga what the bloody hell does he expect?

 

[RedsHappy]

^^^^^ Agree BLR.

My personal favourite from the above article is this buried gem:

(Clarke) is widely respected and provided much of the rugby nous for the ARU.

So if he is 'providing much of the rugby nous' for the ARU, and the code here is indisputably in a dreadful mess, what does that say about (a) that particularly wonderful brand of Clarke-rugby-nous and (b) the levels of rugby nous possessed by ARU others, namely Pulver and the ARU board?

 

[Slim 293]

Another Friday night........ another empty 7.30pm time slot.

 

[Slim 293]

In fact, the Rebels game is scheduled for 3.30pm tomorrow afternoon........ what the actual fuck?!

So instead of having it tonight where the only competition in town is the St Kilda v GWS AFL game at Etihad, which is not going to be a big draw, they're going up against the Collingwood v Carlton blockbuster at the G.........

Bravo.

 

[Braveheart81]

In fact, the Rebels game is scheduled for 3.30pm tomorrow afternoon.... what the actual fuck?!

Normally I'm fine with giving up a Friday home game to have a Sunday afternoon game. I think that's perfectly reasonable.

Giving up a Friday night game to play Saturday afternoon particularly when there is more competition is crazy.

 

[Slim 293]

Normally I'm fine with giving up a Friday home game to have a Sunday afternoon game. I think that's perfectly reasonable.

Giving up a Friday night game to play Saturday afternoon particularly when there is more competition is crazy.

Agreed....... having games at the SFS or Canberra Stadium on a Sunday arvo against the Kiwi teams tends to get good crowds, and probably rates well in NZ.

 

[KOB1987]

I agree with all of that in principle but I wonder if it had anything to do with the Rebels having to transit back from SA?

EDIT: and I just channel flicked to discover that there is a Loig test match on. Maybe not on Melbourne TV Slim, but it's on up here.

EDIT EDIT: it appears to be being played in Cambra too.

 

[KOB1987]

Just saw the big promo on Fox Sports for tomorrow afternoons quadruple header. They're selling it as:

"4 Aussie Teams from 3pm"

How ironic. No Brumbies though

TBH I hadn't noticed that aspect of the draw. Tomorrow afternoon/evening/night is sorted!

 

[Slim 293]

"4 Aussie Teams from 3pm"

How ironic. No Brumbies though

I suppose that without the Brumbies they needed that extra Aussie content to help try and pick up the ratings.........

 

[lou75]

Have heard that Cox has been in conversations with ARU and other consortiums re a sale of the rebels licence - price is now $6 m

 

[stoff]

Have heard that Cox has been in conversations with ARU and other consortiums re a sale of the rebels licence - price is now $6 m

Was previous $4.something m?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BLR]

Was previous $4.something m?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The ARU are desperate, any smart businessman would fleece them for as much as they are worth. The 4.75 m was the pre desperate figure.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Normally I'm fine with giving up a Friday home game to have a Sunday afternoon game. I think that's perfectly reasonable.

Giving up a Friday night game to play Saturday afternoon particularly when there is more competition is crazy.

The scheduling has gone to shit in what I assume is supposed to be the biggest of the 3 markets, Aus.
I'm watching a leagues tes - only for 11 minutes - which 3 years ago I won't have known was on unless there was a streaker or someone kicked on the 3rd tackle

 

[TOCC]

If it makes you feel any better 3 of the tryscorers played rugby union as schoolboys

 

[RedsHappy]

If it makes you feel any better 3 of the tryscorers played rugby union as schoolboys

Thanks, but now feel worse.

 

[Quick Hands]

In fact, the Rebels game is scheduled for 3.30pm tomorrow afternoon.... what the actual fuck?!

So instead of having it tonight where the only competition in town is the St Kilda v GWS AFL game at Etihad, which is not going to be a big draw, they're going up against the Collingwood v Carlton blockbuster at the G...

Bravo.

The product of "rugby nous?"

 

[TOCC]

Thanks, but now feel worse.

Well if you count the two Kiwis players, then 5 of the try scorers played rugby union as schoolboys

 

[KOB1987]

Have heard that Cox has been in conversations with ARU and other consortiums re a sale of the rebels licence - price is now $6 m

The bit that most pricked my ears is 'other consortiums'. Other people are willing to buy into this shitfight???

 

[Rebels3]

It's been stated he will not sell the franchise if it meant them being wound up. He might have a price but it won't be at the rebels expense.