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The ARU Board says they are making the decision to drop either the Rebels or Force “based on the future attractiveness of that market, the sponsors, fan engagement, high performance outcomes, views from a whole range of stakeholders”
Nothing could be further from the truth.
The reason ARU want to can the Force and leave the Rebels is based on cash alone.
The Rebels have the backing of the Victorian Government under a Heads of Agreement ( not a contract, just a promise ) to pay the ARU the sum of $8million in order to host a 2020 Bledisloe Cup match and a future Lions Test.
And for this the Rebels owner will sell back the licence to the ARU for $4.75million.
So the ARU ends up owning a franchise in a reduced pool and dollars in the kick.
So the Force are told, you will cost us too much and the Rebels will give us a profit, so you are IT.
And 8 of the ARU Board bought it.
No wonder Geoff Stook voted against it.
Last edited by Unnamed Sauces; 10-04-17 at 21:52.
ESRU? They wear that as a badge of honour. They don't know who or what they represent anymore. FUBARU seems more apposite..
Playing the short game and going for the cash is not surprising. Whatever the outcome, the place needs a clean out. Time for some actual governance.
The "short game" focus of the ARU is the most amazing part of this - they will drop the club succeeding in creating a development pathway simply to avoid a $4.7M break fee and keep the club delivering no development of grass roots rugby - bloody amazing. What an incredibly short-sighted bunch of wankers. Everything the ARU is saying about developing and protecting the code is an absolute load of crap and outright lies.
And where have the Victorian Gov got that money from? Our GST money by any chance!!