Friday’s Rugby News has four bits of Force news, which is strange cos we’re East Coast Elitists over here, as well as a possible RUPA strike and a rugby musical.
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DHP returns
Dane Haylett-Petty, who was meant to be rested or something like that for the Force’s NZ tour, is now set to start against the Blues in Auckland. DHP’s return is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to team changes:
Matt “Juggernaut” Hodgson making his first start of the campaign; Richie Arnold (of Rory fame) making his first ever start; Bill Meakes is back in the squad; and Curtis Rona (concussion) and Jermaine Ainsley (discolated elbow, after Crusaders bored in ‘cos they weren’t winning any scrums) are out.
Also, Anaru Rangi and the wonderfully-named Shambeckler Vui are also in line to make their first senior appearances from the bench.
“We know that to turn around the outcome of last week we need to be a lot better in a number of key areas – not least our defence. It’s great to have the experience of Dane, Billy and ‘Hodgo’ back in the side this week,” said Force coach Dave Wessels.
“The boys have trained really hard this week under difficult circumstances and I couldn’t be more proud to be part of this team.”
Just got off the phone with the CEO of the ARU to make it clear that Western Australia wants @westernforce to stay. #SeaofBlue
— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) March 28, 2017
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WA’re In The Money
The Western Force have two massive boosts, with both the (Labor!) state government given them the big-ups, as well as Fortescue Metals renewing their sponsorship.
The West Australian reports that the newly-elected premier Mark McGowan (don’t be too shocked that a Western Australian Labor premier knows about rugby – McGowan grew up in NSW and went to uni at UQ) has re-iterated his support for the Force.
“We understand that RugbyWA and ARU have entered into an alliance agreement for the benefit of rugby in Western Australia,” said WA Minister for Sport, Mick Murray.
“Whilst the terms of that alliance agreement have not been made known to the State Government, the State Government is prepared to support RugbyWA in the enforcement of any rights that necessarily arise under that agreement.”
Meanwhile, Fortescue Metals has basically stuck a big middle-finger up to the ARU, signing a two-year deal to stay as Juggernaut Hodgson’s personal sponsor.
“Fortescue is proud to be a part of Matt’s rugby career. Matt is a great leader on and off the field and a terrific role model who has used his influence to champion important issues including mental health,” Fortescue CEO Nev Power said.
On the other hand, the WA Police Force are unhappy that the Western Force was given $6m (over 4 years) by the Road Safety Commission, with the po-po hoping that money would rather be spent on, uh, road safety.
According to the report in the West Australian, “the deal angered the WA Police Union, which said the cash should not have come from the Road Trauma Trust Fund, set up to bankroll practical efforts to reduce the road toll…It is understood a number of local WA sporting teams have applied for similar sponsorship deals from the trauma fund in recent years, but were refused.”
The new Police Minister, Michelle Roberts, has said she would seek further information about the deal. None of the $1.5m-a-year deal has yet been handed over to the Force.
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RUPA May Strike
RUPA is considering chucking a willie over the ARU’s (in)decision vis-a-vis the Force.
RUPA is apparently considering a player strike during the 2017 NRC, reports Geerob. According to their contract, they can’t strike while Super’s on, but that contract doesn’t cover the NRC.
In addition to striking, RUPA are also considering throwing a spanner in the works by, for instance, vetoing the incoming introduction of a Fijian NRC team (as such an action has to be approved by the RUPA under the current CBA).
As the report says:
“The ARU could also face potential fallout at NRC level depending on which, if any, team is axed. Insiders wonder what impact the removal of, for example, the Melbourne Rebels would have on the ongoing involvement of the Melbourne Rising, when no Super Rugby players live in Melbourne to boost the team’s roster.
“There is no suggestion the players have taken a decision to strike, but it is understood the RUPA executive and board are examining all the options available to them as the axe hovers over 20 per cent of the Australian professional player base.”
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Mack the Mason
Oh the Tahs babe, have no 10s dear
And its makes them, really shite
Just a headknock, has old Foley babe
And it keeps him ah, out of sight
Ya know when that Bryce plays. with his hands babe
Sky blue fellows, never spread
“Number 10, oh, wears young Mason, babe”
So Kellaway, never was to have said
Now at Stade Moore Park, huh, huh, woo Satdi evening, uh huh
Lies a team, just oozin’ life, eek
And someone’s sneakin’ ‘down the tunnel
Could that someone be Mack the Fly’f?
If you don’t understand, youngster Mack Mason is set to start at flyhalf for the Tahs this weekend.
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The Scots College (Sydney) is gearing up for their annual Rugby 7s tournament, set to take place THIS SATURDAY 1 April (10am – 4pm)
Schoolboy teams from Australia, New Zealand and Fiji will duke it out for the Pillinger Cup, with King’s College Auckland, last year’s winners, coming back to defend their title.
The top Fijian rugby school side will also be making the trip over to compete alongside St Ignatius’ College Riverview and Canberra Grammar, along with Brisbane State High School and the NSW Waratahs U18 development squad. Kambala and SCEGGS will face on in the girls match, with a full preparatory school competition running alongside the older boys.
Yep, that’s right! Scots College’s Rugby 7s tourney will feature both Men’s and Women’s competitions. In fact, the Australian Men’s and Women’s 7s teams will be roaming about throughout the day, and will be presenting the winning schools with their awards.
More information can be found here, here and also here, and if you need even more information, you can contact the Director of Rugby at Scots College, the blessed Mr Brian Smith at b.smith@tsc.nsw.edu.au.
