HEC Saga Continues ....

dailywaffle · Post by **dailywaffle** » Thu May 17, 2007 6:58 pm

Messrs Wheeler and Walkinshaw seem to be having trouble agreeing:

Premier Rugby's three-man negotiating team is divided. The deal is being driven by its chairman, Tom Walkinshaw, but the Leicester chief executive, Peter Wheeler, believes clubs manage players better than England and fears central management will ration the league appearances of the elite squad to no more than eight a season.

Rest of article:

http://sport.guardian.co.uk/rugbyunion/ ... 47,00.html

Bill W · Post by **Bill W** » Thu May 17, 2007 7:04 pm

But Wheelbrace has an ace up his sleeve. The Players do not want central control!!!!

And have said so!!!!

Although it received very little publicity.

Bill W · Post by **Bill W** » Thu May 17, 2007 10:27 pm

I further understand that this is a deliberate set up.

And will negate "The Way Forward".

dailywaffle · Post by **dailywaffle** » Thu May 17, 2007 10:37 pm

Bill W wrote:I further understand that this is a deliberate set up.

And will negate "The Way Forward".

Bill, which element is the deliberate set up ? Walkinshaw allegedly trying to 'bounce' Wheeler, on the face of it, doesn't sound too promising.

Bill W · Post by **Bill W** » Thu May 17, 2007 10:47 pm

Allows Wheeler to demonstrate that the clubs and more importantly the players will not accept central control. They trust the clubs medical staff etc more than Englands!!! And let us remember PRA actaually have the casting vote in this - it is their members who play.

So it is a sticking point between RFU and PRL. Set up Walkinshaw says "yes" (Showing goodwill) Wheeler says no!!! (Standing foursquare with the players). Remember IRB are the adjudicators. RFU seen to be against the players???

Either way it will totally screw The Way Forward.

And remember Walkinshaw is sticking out for a 8 - 10 year agreement!!! Whereas RFU want only a four year agreement - wanting to blame the clubs in 2011 when we do not win the World Cup then either!!!

dailywaffle · Post by **dailywaffle** » Thu May 17, 2007 10:56 pm

Maybe I'm naive, but I don't buy that. If Walkinshaw railroads an agreement that then falls on the sword of the PRA then surely his, and the PRLs credibility suffers ?

I'm still not sure that an agreement that is acceptable to all parties is possible, unless a ton of money is thrown at it. If the £ is high enough, one can see a split in the GP ranks. Which may, possibly, explain why Wheeler is less happy to play than Walkinshaw ?

Bill W · Post by **Bill W** » Thu May 17, 2007 11:04 pm

Walkinshaw cannot railroad an agreement. Has to be ratified by PRL. So Walkinshaw says maybe to central control. Wheeler says maybe to 4 year agreement. Then they go back and say sorry guts, PR|L and PRA say 8 year agreement and no central control - our hands are tied. And note money is no longer the issue - RFU have agreed to £9M nect years and rising each year!!!

Game set and match!!!

dailywaffle · Post by **dailywaffle** » Thu May 17, 2007 11:17 pm

But weren't the 3 man negotiating party given the OK to get the deal by the rest of the clubs ? With PRL then only rubber stamping it ?

I'm not saying you're wrong Bill, but I have trouble believing that an agreement will be reached that is then torpedoed by PRL. PRA, I concede, is trickier.

Bill W · Post by **Bill W** » Thu May 17, 2007 11:22 pm

Absolurely Daily!!! This is why an agreement must not be reached. Walkinshaw say OK to central control, Wheeler says no! Walkinshaw say 8 - 10 years, Wheeler says OK to 4. Both say OK to £9M rising at 20% compoound.

Go back to ratify. Sorry guys - £9m at 20% compound OK but no central contracts and 8 years. Over to you Syd!!!

Bill W · Post by **Bill W** » Fri May 18, 2007 11:05 pm

PRA have now put it on their website.

http://tinyurl.com/2ldc93

dailywaffle · Post by **dailywaffle** » Fri May 18, 2007 11:24 pm

Bill W wrote:PRA have now put it on their website.

http://tinyurl.com/2ldc93

A lot of common sense there. And closely aligned to Peter Wheeler's position.

Bill W · Post by **Bill W** » Fri May 18, 2007 11:28 pm

As I said earlier the Ace up his sleeve!!!

Baron may be forced to resign or be sacked to rescue the HC now.

Bill W · Post by **Bill W** » Sat May 19, 2007 11:34 pm

Ballot for players strike likely to force WC warm up games to be abandoned (note insistance of 11 week lay off and refusal to accept RFU pre-eninence in medical matters)

banbury tiger · Post by **banbury tiger** » Sun May 20, 2007 4:08 pm

looks resolved

Bill W · Post by **Bill W** » Sun May 20, 2007 10:31 pm

banbury tiger wrote:looks resolved

Indeed it does.

http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/254_10483.php

But no fine print and further details to be hammered out.

This may just be a publicity stunt given that RFU promised SYd they would have resolution by yesterday.