Lol, new WA govt seems to love RL!
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."
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/05/01/wa-govt-slams-aru-shrinking-rugby