Originally Posted by
GIGS20
I've got a couple of issues with the article
There were NO SALARY CAP EXEMPTIONS WHATSOEVER in the early years of the Force, they were left to build a franchise from scratch on the "wrong" side of the country with no extra support from the governing body. In fact, when the Force used a tactic that had been established as an under the table method of giving players a bit extra scratch without affecting the salary cap (Reds and Tahs both did it) to secure Gits and Mitchell they got hauled over the coals, the loophole was retrispectively closed and the Force were fined (even though the Reds and Tahs weren't.
Actually I don't think that is entirely correct....the ENTIRE AUSSIE CONFERENCE suffered during those years. there is no evidence showing that the Force did any worse by comparison with the rest of the Australian teams.
Not to mention the fact that Rugby Australia allowed the Rebels and the Force to sign up to 10 players outside the salary cap. The Force at least tried to keep a bit of a lid on the spending while doing that, but the Rebels chased anybody and everybody, paying them whatever it took...when the budget melted down, they simply got bailed out by RA and started again.
Disagree, if we had too many franchises we wouldn't have such high numbers of players playing at the highest levels overseas. The numbers are fine it's the management of those numbers that sucks!
Maybe in the short term, yes but the way to build sustained success is to build from within.