Professional Reality Hits Hard

The dust has yet to settle on a week that even by Welsh rugby and Warriors standards has been exceptionally turbulent. On Saturday everything was looking all rosy in regional rugby's garden, by Tuesday all hell had broken loose.

David Moffett's near unnerving ruthlessness has come very much to the fore in seemingly wiping out a region in only a matter of days, however realistically this weeks events have been more of cruel some what inevitable end to a sorry saga that has dragged supporters and players alike through the mire over the past ten months.

Only now as their almost certain demise approaches have both Pontypridd and Bridgend supporters united for a common cause, perhaps had they acted in a similar manner throughout the season, they would be looking at an entirely different picture.

It would be unfair to blame supporters entirely, when the original mergers were agreed upon, it was fairly obvious that it was hardly going to be an easy marriage. Regional rugby's inception required a new approach, yet Pontypridd's slide into administration, put Leighton Samuel in an awkward position, one which he has without doubt failed miserably to cope with.

Samuels in out shake it all about attitude has done nothing to calm WRU nerves over the regions stability, Moffett has seized an opportunity based on financial grounds, I very much doubt he is aware of the emotive damage of what he is done by removing first class rugby from an area that is so passionate about rugby, but businesses cannot be run only on passion, that is the harsh reality that is professionalism, as much as it hurts.

Contrary to opinion, as one one Warriors fans site exclaimed, excusing the WRU of acting only to save Cardiff and Peter Thomas's bacon, this is a move aimed at the long term, as far as funding and player base goes there just isn't enough for five teams. People are always desperate to see inner motives in everything the WRU do, when in reality the Blues only missed out on a Heineken Cup spot by the narrowest of margins, but Cardiff have always been the easiest of targets.

The vultures from the other four regions may have been swooping wildly for Warriors in a player carve up which in truth resembled more of a cattle market, yet this weeks events should act as a serious wake up call for them. Clubs must begin to act more like provinces, Cardiff in particular require a serious shake up behind the scenes if they are even to dare and try and attract new support from outside the capital.