PREMIER Mark McGowan has exacted swift revenge on the Australian Rugby Union for its decision to axe the Western Force by scrapping a deal to bring forward a $4 million payment to stage the Bledisloe Cup at Perth Stadium.
While the blockbuster match between the Wallabies and All Blacks will still go-ahead in Perth in 2019, the WA Government is no longer willing to agree to the cash-strapped ARU’s request to make early payments.
Mr McGowan earlier this year agreed to the request on the proviso the Force’s future in the Super Rugby competition was guaranteed.
On Friday, WA’s rugby union community was devastated when the ARU announced it would cut the Perth-based team from the 2018 season and keep the Melbourne Rebels instead.
The WA Government is paying the ARU $5 million to stage Perth’s first Bledisloe Cup match. The former Barnett government late last year handed over the first $1 million, but the ARU will now have to wait another two years to get its hands on the remainder.
“The offer is definitely off the table now,” Mr McGowan said. “There is no way the ARU will be getting those payments earlier than originally planned. The deal is off.”
Mr McGowan also revealed the Government was re-visiting commitments made to WA several years ago by the ARU when the State agreed to pour millions into rugby in WA, including a $95 million upgrade to nib Stadium…
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