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With rumours about the Waratahs possibly having approached Ben McCalman this seemed like a good time to start talking about the lack of an "Even Playing Field". (possibly again)
All Super Rugby franchises in Australia have a Salary Cap of $4.5 million.
But as we know, some franchises are more equal than others.
The Reds had no problems getting ~$0.5 million extra from the ARU for Quade Cooper and Karmichael Hunt.
Similarly the Waratahs had no problems getting something closer to $1 million for Israel Folau or $300k for players such as Wycliff Palu.
My observations over the opening rounds show just how big the disparity is between the 5 franchises.
Nothing shows this more than the number of Test experienced players playing in the starting XV for each team.
On average the situation has been as follows:
Attachment 3704
Check #14 below for updated numbers. The full squad numbers are even more lopsided.
The Reds currently have another 4 Internationals + KH to return (174 caps).
The Brumbies have at least David Pocock to return (45 caps).
The Force is eagerly awaiting for the return of Matt Hodgson (10 caps).
I have no information re Waratahs and Rebels.
These numbers do not include ALL of the players in each franchise who may still be under some level of ARU top-up.
So the Force gets an additional Marque player + extra overseas players (but still have to fit within the Salary Cap).
In addition, when some extra $s were required to keep Nick Cummins in Australia, the ARU showed no interest and immediately announced the Hunt saga.
Do you remember when the Force had 11 Test-experienced players in the Wallabies' squad??
It's pretty easy to see Wallaby top-ups in the range of $50k - $100k+ per year + Test payments.
So on this basis, and with the big payments paid to so few, its easy to see that TOTAL Player Payments to the Waratahs, Reds and Brumbies squads could be easily $2 million - $4+ million per year higher than for the Force and the Rebels.
In my view this is unsustainable.
It also reinforces to me just how well we did last year and that we shouldn't be so hard on our boys (including the coaches). AND how well Mark Sinderberry and Michael Foley have done to create and maintain a competitive squad and team.
Maybe all the other TWFers already know this.
Maybe it's the reason why I see comments such as "that I'll be happy when the boys play as well as they can" instead of having totally unrealistic expectations.
I reckon we have to rally to create some people pressure and get behind the WF to try and fix this situation.
Last edited by andrewg; 11-03-15 at 14:25.
Could not have put the situation any better, great post Andrewg.
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”
Andrew,I suggest you post this on GAGR-then sit back & see the response
You've got my support Andrew!!
And I agree with you about Sinderberry - he has been an amazing CEO! As demonstrated by the idea to go for individual jersey sponsorship when we lost Emirates. That was blooming brilliant 'outside the square' thinking I reckon!
The Sinders-Foley-Hodgo combo is the best thing ever to happen to the Force imo!
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby
SHASTA!!!!!
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby
In addition is the proactive financial support that's coming from independent sponsors in Perth which has helped the Force be more financially viable rather than having to rely on the one major sponsor. It's been a brilliant concept allowing the business community and thus probably ex local players sustaining the Force which protects them in.a way from all the ARU shit the Force has to swallow. If they can just reinforce and sustain it with the results we can finally the tell "other side" to go shove it.
Bit of a side track here but those of you who follow Perth Glory - do you know if their on-field success this season has had a big impact on member numbers and ticket sales?
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby
Average crowd figure of 10,741 which is up about 1,000 on last year.
Final member number probably won't be known until the end of the season as they are still selling memberships for the last 4 games of the season.
That's a tremendous post andrewg, and goes to show how the expansion to 4, then 5, Australian franchises has been incorrectly handled.
Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!
Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?
We did steal McCalman from the Sydney comp. He is a NSW boy.
Crying about them going home is ridiculous.
Grow your own wallabies or p1ss in your boots and swim
If they stay it's a bonus. McCalman may choose to say because he has had a lot of personal success by playing for the Force.
Players do like to get silverware however. It's a small return on getting your body totally f_cked.
If the Force wants to retain and attract talent, they need to win. They need to sort their f_cking backline out. It's an embarrasment to professional rugby. I think there is some talent there but the selections are mystifying. Forwards hate playing with incompetent backlines. It is soul destroying to watch useless shites lose ground and drop the ball and kick it aimlessly away.
Controversy corner
Have been through the 5 x 2015 squads and updated information as follows:
Attachment 3707
Last edited by andrewg; 10-03-15 at 21:57.
Great post Andrewg....