Lol, this is brilliant!
Time might be now to work with the new WA state govt to get their support for the Pirates admission in a couple of years!
The WA Government has praised the NRL while taking a swipe at the ARU, questioning their decision to shrink rugby at a time when other codes are looking to build.
Either the Perth-based Western Force or the Melbourne Rebels will be axed ahead of next year's Super Rugby competition.
The WA Government are angry at the prospect the Force could be cut, especially after the previous leadership invested in a redevelopment of nib Stadium several years ago.
If the Force are cut, it would leave Perth Glory as the only major sporting tenants of the stadium.
Rugby League is doing its best to maintain a strong presence in Perth.
Two NRL games will be played at nib Stadium this year, as well as two World Cup fixtures.
And the new 60,000-seat Perth Stadium will host a State of Origin game in 2019.
WA Minister for Sport and Recreation Mick Murray praised the NRL for continuing to promote rugby league in WA.
"You're showing the lead by trying to expand your sport, whereas the other one is shrinking their sport," Mr Murray said in a thinly-veiled swipe at the ARU.
"I think it's a major feather in the cap of rugby league by being out there promoting their own game and trying to expand it.
"If we weren't committed to rugby league and other codes as well, we wouldn't have put money into a stadium such as this.
"That's what makes it special - people actually follow up and come through and are trying to expand our sport (of NRL).
"Probably disappointing in another code (the ARU) that's not doing that, or talking about not doing that."
South Sydney will host Melbourne in the NRL at nib Stadium on May 21.
It will be the ninth straight year the Rabbitohs have played a home game in Perth.
The possible demise of the Force would strengthen Perth's case to have an NRL side of its own in the not-too-distant future.
The NRL are unlikely to expand until the end of the current TV deal in 2022.
But if the Force go, plans for a Perth NRL side could be brought forward.
John Sackson, the boss of rugby league in WA, was sympathetic to what the Force are going through.
But he's also well aware that his bid for an NRL side in Perth would be strengthened if the Force are cut by the ARU.
"If the Force were to depart the market place here, at the end of the day what it does is creates opportunity for rugby league," Sackson said.
"It just depends on how the big decision makers at the NRL and the Commission view that situation, and whether they're prepared to take advantage in any change of the competitive landscape here.
"We've certainly drawn their attention to it. It's a hot topic nationally at the moment.
"I think it's still a case of when, not if (Perth gets an NRL team)."
Perth fans haven't had their own NRL side to cheer on since the Western Reds' stint between 1995 and 1997.
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/05/01/wa-govt-slams-aru-shrinking-rugby
