Regions Go To the Mattresses
By cardiffsteve
April 5 2013
“How bad do you think it's gonna be?”
“Pretty goddam bad. Probably all the other Families will line up against us. That's all right. These things gotta happen every five years or so, ten years. Helps to get rid of the bad blood. Been ten years since the last one. You know, you gotta stop them at the beginning. Like they should have stopped Hitler at Munich, they should never let him get away with that, they was just asking for trouble.”
That's a little exchange that takes place during The Godfather. Michael Corleone's planning to murder some adversaries over dinner - something he knows will have consequences - and is asking the veteran mobster Clemenza for advice.
Clemenza knew a thing or two. When tension has been building and building for a while, sometimes it does everybody a lot of good to just have it out. It's going to be messy, but ultimately everybody will be better for it. Everybody still standing that is.
He was also right that when an egotistical, power mad, scheming individual is let loose, its probably best to get rid of the swine before he can do any real damage. You should probably also think long and hard about signing long term Participation Agreements with such an individual.
Nobody got shot in the throat at Cardiff Athletic Club yesterday and I'm assuming there are no handguns hidden in the cisterns in the members bar toilets. However, there were some tasty chunks of dialogue:
“I sum it up with the words power, divide, conquer, wipe-out. That is the agenda for certain people across the way.”
So said Peter Thomas. The regions, have finally come out swinging.
They ask these questions in their press release:
• Why is the WRU Executive now not comfortable with having an independent chairman with voting rights to preside over the PRGB?
• When will the WRU put forward its strategy for the future of the game in Wales to the PRGB members as requested at the first meeting of the Board?
• Does the WRU consider it is acting with integrity as it seeks to play out its position in the public arena first without reference or discussions with the Four Regions and an opportunity to discuss privately?
• Why are the WRU focusing primarily on central contracts when its own independent report highlighted this was not the solution for Welsh rugby?
• Have the statements that have been issued been fully supported and endorsed by the Board of the WRU?
To me, the implication of that last question seems clear: they are asking the WRU board if they fully support and endorse the actions of their Chief Executive Roger Lewis. The answer to that question could well determine the outcome of this little war. Lewis's position could become untenable. And if he goes, well perhaps the war goes with him. We can start again having cleared the air and with a WRU Exec we can actually have a discussion with.
Or, erm, he stays and this all rolls on for a bit longer....
Either way, I think its safe to say that the regions decided to “go to the mattresses” yesterday. Thats Godfather speak for declaring war.
And – seen as we're going to war - its reassuring to see the regions photographed together in the Athletic Club, showing a united front. They've resisted the WRU's attempts to “divide and rule”.
Theres a little smile on Clemenza's face when he tells Michael that things are going to get bad, but thats alright. He was probably looking forward to going to the mattresses for years. He was sick of letting things fester and wanted differences finally settled. I know exactly how he felt.
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Quote:timmyd
What exactly do the regions want from the wru?
Have a look at the bullet points in the article above.
Oh and more money of course
![[:wor kid:]](/phorum-5.1.15/mods/smileys/images/13.gif "[:wor kid:]")
Quote:timmyd
What exactly do the regions want from the wru?
Before anything else, they want a relationship where issues get discussed and they aren't dictated to.
If you use cardiff blues as an example they currently have 4 players that wales wud want centrally contracted possibly more. I refer to halfpenny, cuthbert, roberts and warburton. It wud prob cost wru 1m to keep them away from france. Thats 1m saved from blues salary cap while still having them for hec, judgement day and other derbies. They wud generally play 28-30 games a yr of which 12 are with wales and rest with blues if injury free.
It sounds to me to be a suitable model considering control of region is important. A few ground rules like having first refusal on players produced. Fair distribution of cc players etc wud have to be agreed but it appears the lesser of 2 evils from regions perspective.
Quote:timmyd
A few ground rules like having first refusal on players produced. Fair distribution of cc players etc wud have to be agreed but it appears the lesser of 2 evils from regions perspective.
Yes but this is the point. No forum for establishing these ground rules exists. They tried to establish one, but the WRU have run away from it.
They cant have a discussion about central contracts, joint contracts, top ups or whatever without a proper forum for getting it sorted.
The players and the rugby are our product, needed for the long term benefit of the game in Wales. The Regions (stupidly) signed up to the last PA, including an extra AI and this is the perfect example of how heavily things are skewed in the WRU's favour. The fixture earns approx £2m for the Union, each region receives £100k. The majority of that squad comes from the Regions as it is outside of the IRB window. Madness.
I dont see how central contracts arent sustainable for a union generating 60m a year?
You may wonder why im so interested but this affects everyone in the lge and our hec bargaining position aswell.
Quote:timmyd
So what is the solution that has the most realistic opportunity of all sides achieving their goals?
I dont see how central contracts arent sustainable for a union generating 60m a year?
You may wonder why im so interested but this affects everyone in the lge and our hec bargaining position aswell.
This is not about central contracts.
That might be how the WRU would like to frame things, but it really isn't what this is about.
This is all about who holds the power in Welsh rugby.
Is everything going to be dictated by the chief executive of the WRU?
Or, will the WRU and Regions get equal say?
If you're concerned about the future of the Pro12, I'd suggest its going to be much better all round if the second thing happens.
Theres nothing to suggest that Roger Lewis sees this level of the game as anything other than a development competition for international players. Thats not going to make for serious, competitive teams. He's on record as suggesting that at least one welsh team becomes downgraded to a "development"side. That wont do the Pro12 any favours.
The best way for this to be start being resolved to everyone's satisfaction? Roger Lewis walks.
THEN we can start thinking about central contracts. Until then its just putting the cart before the horse.
If they dont have the money to sustain central contracts how do you expect them to sustain central funding?
Am i correct in thinking that regional rugby and regional rugbt fans do not want to surrender any control of their regions to the wru but want and/or need some financial assistance from that same wru to be a sustainable business?
If so is central contracts the only realistic way of achieving that goal?
Quote:timmyd
If cardifflose is correct and wru are effectively broke then whats all this nonsense about?
If they dont have the money to sustain central contracts how do you expect them to sustain central funding?
Am i correct in thinking that regional rugby and regional rugbt fans do not want to surrender any control of their regions to the wru but want and/or need some financial assistance from that same wru to be a sustainable business?
If so is central contracts the only realistic way of achieving that goal?
Central contracs, joint contracts, top ups. All amount more or less to the same thing and need to be discussed. And I'm repeating myself.
Once more, just to be clear....
THIS IS NOT ABOUT CENTRAL CONTRACTS.
They have not closed the door on central contracts. Thats a misconception. But theres no way of discussing the issue sensibly with the union, because Lewis wants to dictate rather than discuss.
The WRU owe a lot of money but they have been paying it back well ahead of the agreed schedule, and theyve found significant money to spend on refurbishing hospitality boxes. Their financial situation isnt critical.
It may still be that its better to spend money on those other things than on central contracts. But theres no proper forum for discussing that.
Quote:timmyd
If the removal of the ceo of the wru is whats required by regions why not canvas support from the clubs? I assume ths wru is a rep body elected from thhe clubs who have hired this man to oversee the business model. As the clubs form part of the regions this must be a vehicle to achieve his removal?
What makes you think they arent? But do remember that there are no provincial unions as in Ireland so clubs aren't "part of the regions" in the same way.
They've appealed directly to the board of the WRU. Thats the group of people who can get rid of him.
I wud respectfully suggest setting up regional comitees as part of the overall solution to help keep peace in future.
Am i right in assuming board of wru are elected from the clubs?
Quote:timmyd
Sorry steve i must have posted my 2nd last one at same time as your response as i didnt see your reply.
I wud respectfully suggest setting up regional comitees as part of the overall solution to help keep peace in future.
Am i right in assuming board of wru are elected from the clubs?
No worries. Yes the board members are club reps.
Its all about having an open, transparent way of getting things done. We havent had that in Wales and that's really whats started this.