Wednesday’s Rugby News has more crap about what’s going on with the ARU (a bigger timeframe to decide; it’s all about the money; and Nic Stirzaker is sad about it), and the Rebels have signed three Shute Shield players.
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On and On
The original 48-72 hour deadline set by the ARU on what Australian team would be cut from Super, has been extended.
This extension is indefinite, and has come about with the news that the Western Force are going to take the ARU to court over a possible axeing.
“The ARU will undertake due process to ensure that both the Melbourne Rebels and Western Force are given adequate opportunity to present their business case before the Board makes a final decision on which team to be removed,” ARU Chairman Cameron Clyne said, reports rugby.com.au.
“We maintain our commitment to reaching resolution on this matter as soon as possible, however the timeline that we initially anticipated of 48-72 hours will not apply.
“As confirmed on Monday, we have commenced a consultation process with both teams and will provide an update at an appropriate time.”
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MoneyMoneyMoney Mooooney – Maaahnay!
Chairman Clyne has also come out and said financial sustainability is a key factor in which team will be cut.
“Finance is unfortunately going to have to be a very significant criteria,” he said, talking to Fox Sports (via rugby.com.au).
“We have put in $28 million that we did not plan to put in over the last four years to keep these teams afloat.
“We are constantly getting feedback – which I absolutely support – that we are not putting enough money into grassroots.
“If those teams are at the bottom of the ladder in two or three years – we don’t want that to be the case – but have they got the financial ability to carry on sustainably?
“That’s the key issue.
“It’s a game we are all involved in because we love and support the game but its become a business.
“As fans drift away and sponsors drift away, we have to make sure the four teams we keep are financially sustainable.”
Clyne was also quick to discuss the issue of fan support.
“There is a lot of great passion and support coming out of the franchises at the moment but we have to stand back from that,” he said.
“The reason we are in this situation is because that passion and support hasn’t been there for some years.”
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Sullen Rebels
Melbourne Rebels captain Nic Stirzaker ain’t so crash hot on all this chopping talk.
“We’ve been trying to ignore it for the most of the season but obviously that has been a bit harder this week,” Stirzaker told rugby.com.au.
“We know as much as you know so we are trying to just focus on our game this weekend.
“It’s been going on for so long, it’s definitely frustrating, you’d like to just get an answer and move on with it, for everyone.”
Backs coach Morgan Turunui is quietly confident the Rebels will be a-ok.
“I don’t have all the information – people way above my pay grade are deciding,” he said. “I’ve had enough problems trying to unlock the Brumbies defence – I will let the powers that be decide.
“We’re pretty confident that the Rebels will be here.
“I was confident six months ago, I was confident a month ago and I was confident when I signed on and for me, that hasn’t changed.”
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Everything’s Ok
Talking of the Rebels, there’s some good news. They’ve signed two North Sydney stars, as well as a Warringah Rat to cover for injuries in their squad.
Flanker and captain Will Miller and backrower Hugh Sinclair have joined the Melbourne team in lieu of the crocked Jordy Reid, Sean McMahon and Amanaki Mafi.
Norths coach Simon Cron said he and the club were thrilled for Miller and Sinclair.
“One is my captain and the other is my vice captain, so I obviously hold them both in the highest regard and we’re all thrilled to see them get an opportunity,” Cron told Rugby News.
“I think they’ve got a genuine shot of getting some Super Rugby game time and that’s why they’ve gone down there. From what I’ve heard, the Rebels have had quite a few injuries so the boys will get an opportunity to show what they can do on the training field and push for a spot in the side.”
Rory O’Connor, a Rat prop, has also joined. He’s expected to offer competition in the front-row stocks, with Toby Smith still up to four weeks away from returning.
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