Why can't we be friends? Twiggy sees opportunities for Force and Perth Bears

Sydney Morning Herald

01-05-2025

Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh said the 15-man game is focussing on an upgrade of its pathway systems, and selling the unique international aspects of rugby, as the threat of the NRL expanding by two more teams looms on the horizon.
Waugh's comments came as the Andrew Forrest-owned Tattarang company, which owns the Western Force, said it was keen to embrace the new Perth Bears league club and look for ways to partner with the NRL side, potentially investing in shared facilities and a new ground.
The NRL is currently finalising expansion to 19 teams by 2028, with a team in Papua New Guinea locked in for 2028 and a deal imminent for the Bears to be revived in 2027 in Western Australia.
A new broadcast deal in 2028 is expected to increase the NRL salary cap to around $15m a year per club, and the two new franchises will not only need over 60 players for the main squads, but at least that number again below, in feeder and junior teams.
That recruitment drive looms as a threat to rugby on a number of fronts. Established Wallabies and Super Rugby players will become potential targets, but the bigger threat is cashed-up NRL clubs further pillaging the pool of talented teenagers who play both code s.
In Perth, the creation of the Bears could even be an existential threat for the Force, who've had the city to themselves as a rugby code since 2006. The Force, who are averaging around 7000 fans to home games this year, have a supporter base comprising a mix of locals and New Zealand, English and South African expats.
The Force are viewing it in a different way, however. They believe the Bears' arrival can provide an opportunity to work together, so both codes can thrive in the state.
'As the owner of the Western Force, Tattarang is open to discussing partnership opportunities with both the Western Australian Government and the NRL,' Tattarang chief executive John Hartman said.