Forrest calls on ARU chairman to step down
BILLIONAIRE mining magnate Andrew Forrest has called on Cameron Clyne to resign, claiming the ARU chairman “lied” about the reasons for axing the Western Force.
Forrest says he has stumbled across legal advice sent to the ARU board in February indicating the Force was the best Super Rugby team to cut because the legal risk was low. In the advice from the ARU management to the ARU board, it said axing either the Brumbies or Melbourne Rebels without cause would constitute an unlawful termination.
But for the ARU-owned Force, it said there was “no legal obligation” to retain the franchise once the broadcast rights deal was renegotiated. Two months after receiving the advice, the ARU announced it would axe either the Force or Rebels as part of SANZAAR’s plans to reduce the competition to 15 teams.
But Forrest claims the ARU knew in February that if any of the five Australian teams was to go, it would be the Force.
“What I saw in that document dated late February made the whole thing a lie,” Forrest said.
“It shows clearly that in late February this year, the advice was received and taken to cut the Western Force for no other reason apart from legal advice.
“The Western Force was set up to be ambushed. I will always stand up to bullies, and I will always stand against injustice. And a great injustice was about to be wreaked on the Western Force. I call on Cameron Clyne to resign.”
Clyne hit back, saying the documents Forrest obtained were just part of the analysis undertaken by ARU management at the board’s request.