Originally Posted by
Hansie
This whole episode has been an unnecessary way of proving that Super Rugby in it's current format is broken, the ARU are rudderless with their mantra being " shrink to greatness". The game needs to become attractive and unless World Rugby, and all of the unions look at alternate models that generate sustainable income streams, our code will die.
Andrew Forrest has the vision, the contacts, the team and ideas that offer a future. there are some gaps in his organisation that need plugging, which can be done quite easily.
If world rugby and the ARU do not engage with open minds and share ideas and provide knowledge, assistance and pathways, in GOOD FAITH and with good intentions, then our code will die.
Yes, Mr. Pulver , you have said some serious dialogue is happening, a working party has been engaged, BUT can you guarantee that from your side we have transparency?
Your Modus Operandi with respect to axeing of the Force has been hamfisted at best. All due to lack of Transparency and engagement. Your due diligence on Imperium Group was non-existent at worst and amateurish at best. Imperium had no experience on Sports team management and trying to compare Andrew Cox with Mourad Boudjellal ( owner of Toulon) shows total ignorance. Your due diligence and "missing spreadsheet" on axeing the Force never ever assumed nor considered the past, current and future fight that has occurred. Another sign of total ignorance and naivety. You clearly had not done your homework, in your neck of the woods the Rabbitohs would have proven that you don't fight a community, you engage.
Whilst our war will continue against you and your legacy, and whilst we will supercharge our community game, you have probably one last opportunity to either show some leadership or find someone who can ( Forget Clyne - he's bureaucrat without spine). here's what to do.
1. Get on a plane and meet with Andrew.
2. LISTEN to the big picture. I can tell you right now it is overwhelmingly compelling.
3. Share openly and transparently the hurdles and issues facing the ARU and Rugby in the Southern Hemisphere. Let me tell you now, Andrew has, within his team people who can HELP and find solutions. You are well known to avoid listening and are not a good listener. I recommend for this one exercise you adopt the alternate behaviour.
4. Cut your losses now with RugbyWA ( or RugbyWA's losses) pursuing these will lead to a LOSE - LOSE scenario.
5. Bring RUPA, World Rugby and SANZAAR into the discussion. You know as we all do, Super Rugby in 2021 is dead. The broadcast agreement you have now is as good as it will ever get.
6. Consider telling your Super Partners - " Imagine a viewership of a match between the Beijing Dragons vs the Western Force attracting 20 million?" The Dragons being owned by Jack Ma of Ali Baba and including some iconic rugby legends. What viewership does a Super Rugby match get now?
7. Convince World Rugby to speed up the game. reduce PK's to 1 point. Move try conversions to the centre and drop kick to convert for 1 point, increase tries to 6 points. Yellow cards on first offence of cynical play, play on if lineout throw is crooked and opponents do not compete, One single scum reset, then FK, get some music, get refs mi'ced (sp.) up to stadium PA system etc etc.
8. Despite what you think, you will always be remembered for destroying an entire community across the nation, destroying trust and honesty that once were the pillars of our code. From this point on, the word of Rugby Administrators will mean nothing. We trusted and believed you were one of us - when you made a promise or committed a verbal guarantee - we trusted you, because that is how Rugby participants behave. The phrase " your word is your bond" is alien to you and we can only conclude never been part of your make up.
We have a window to make our game great once more, thanks to a visionary Andrew Forrest, if this window closes, I fear for our code.