Mining billionaire Andrew Forrest talking to ARU about replacing NRC with a new competition
AUSTRALIAN domestic rugby is in for a major shake-up as Andrew Forrest enters deep talks with the ARU.
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BILLIONAIRE Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest has entered formal negotiations with the ARU about taking over the National Rugby Championship.
The news comes as Force coach Dave Wessels is set to sign with Melbourne Rebels to lead their Super Rugby campaign in 2018.
Forrest has met with the ARU’s hierarchy about putting millions into his newly proposed Indo-Pacific Rugby Championship, and he could effectively replace the NRC with this tournament but keep many teams.
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One of the big appeals for Forrest is that because the ARU owns the “Western Force” name, he could work in conjunction with them and replace the Perth Spirit with the Force, thereby preserving the identity of the franchise that was axed by Australia’s governing body last week.
Forrest’s new tournament would not compete with Super Rugby, but rather reinvigorate the struggling NRC.
Wessels is negotiating with a number of clubs and has yet to make a firm decision, but his potential defection to the Rebels would be followed by a host of Force stars including Adam Coleman and Dane Haylett-Petty.
But top-line Force names will be associated with the revamped tournament also involving teams from Asia and the Pacific Islands if it gets approval.
There is much water to go under the bridge before a deal between Forrest and the ARU is reached, however the Daily Telegraph can reveal that Forrest will make a public announcement about his plans on Wednesday.
The mining magnate met with ARU chairman Cameron Clyne after the Wallabies draw with South Africa in Perth last weekend and is keen to revitalise the state of the game with a competition that can attract global attention.
While he has significant capital and wealthy backers behind him, Forrest does not yet have the talent, given the best players in Australia are ARU employees and will not be allowed to play in a rebel competition.
But by working with the ARU, Forrest can get access to those players and put together a compelling product that broadcasters will be interested in.
His plan includes luring many overseas-based Australian stars back to play in the Indo-Pacific championship.
Because it would not clash with the Super Rugby schedule, players not involved in Wallabies camp would be available.
The NRC, now in its fourth season, has this year introduced a team from Fiji.
The tournament runs from late August for 11 weeks, in line with The Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup series, giving opportunities for Super Rugby stars not involved in Test matches to play competitive games.
Forrest wants to potentially bring in teams from Singapore, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Malaysia, so negotiating which NRC teams are axed and who remains will be a key element of ongoing discussions.
Forrest was outraged after the ARU cut the Force from Super Rugby — following two failed legal attempts by WA Rugby to save the franchise — but is willing to work with the ruling body to ensure a meaningful rugby presence in Western Australia.
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