Western Force to get billionaire backing as arbitration with ARU begins

Andrew Forrest to fund under-threat Super Rugby franchise’s campaignArbitration begins in Sydney this week to decide fate of ForceBillionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest will pour millions of dollars into the “Own the Force” campaign if the Perth-based franchise survives the axe, with RugbyWA and the ARU beginning arbitration in Sydney on Monday to decide the fate of the Western Force.If the ARU win the arbitration hearing, they will axe the Force from the Super Rugby competition. If the Force win, the ARU will have no other choice but to try to axe the Melbourne Rebels, or negotiate a merge…