Share

Forrest's offer to save Force rejected

Cape Town - The Australian Rugby Union has rejected Andrew Forrest’s alleged $50 million offer to financially take care of the Western Force and save them from the Super Rugby axe.

Forrest was accompanied by former ARU director Geoff Stooke and former Wallaby John Wellborn at the meeting. They met with ARU chairman Cameron Clyne, deputy chairman Brett Robinson and director and former Wallabies captain John Eales.

During the meeting in Adelaide, Forrest made it clear that if the Force remained in Super Rugby, he would ensure that no financial risk would come to the ARU.

The ARU has told SANZAAR they will cut a team from Super Rugby next season. The Melbourne Rebels' license belongs to the Victorian Rugby Union. This means the ARU has no constitutional right to axe them. The Force were then selected for axing.  

The ARU rejected Forrest's offer at the meeting and made it clear they were committed to cutting the Force.

"We were genuinely appreciative of Andrew's generous offer to back the Western Force and Australian Rugby, however, given the position we are in we are unable to work towards retaining five teams in Super Rugby," he said.

On Wednesday, RugbyWA will be informed if their appeal against the ARU's decision to axe the Force will be heard in the NSW Supreme Court. If this appeal fails, the Force will be cut from Super Rugby and will have to look at playing in another competition. 

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1189 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1376 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2103 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE