Now it’s all down to ARU
MINING magnate Andrew Forrest insists he has buried the hatchet with Cameron Clyne, and he’s urging the ARU chairman to endorse his new competition for the benefit of Australian rugby.
Forrest officially launched the Indo Pacific Rugby Championship (IPRC) yesterday.
But instead of it being a rebel competition, Forrest wants it to work hand-in-hand with the current rugby set-up in Australia.
Under Forrest’s bold plans, the IPRC will run after the Super Rugby season, and during the third-tier National Rugby Championship.
Pre-season will begin in July, with the 10-round competition to run between August and October next year. The top four teams will play off in finals.
Forrest said the new competition would not only help Australia retain its most talented players, but also lure back those playing abroad.
He said the lucrative fourmonth contracts on offer would help ease the financial burden on the cash-strapped ARU and boost the number of players available for Wallabies selection.
But whether the competition is a success largely hinges on whether the ARU gives its endorsement.
If it does, players who feature in the IPRC will still be eligible for Wallabies selection and players will flock to it.
But if the ARU decides not to play ball, the IPRC will effectively be a rebel competition, and Australia’s best players will likely shun it in favour of keeping their Wallabies dreams alive.
Forrest has held positive talks with the ARU, and he’s confident the governing body will come to the party.
It’s in stark contrast to a few weeks ago, when he called on Clyne to resign after the decision to axe the Western Force from Super Rugby.
Forrest said the pair made peace before the Wallabies’ clash with South Africa last week.
“We had a frank and friendly discussion when he was here recently,” he said.
“Now with the Western Force becoming an international team ... there should be nothing but collaboration on behalf of Australian rugby.”