Australian Fans Set To Boycott Springboks Clash
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Australian Rugby’s decision to axe the Western Force will create an unprecedented “away” Test for the Wallabies in Perth next month.
Michael Cheika’s men take on South Africa at nib Stadium in the Rugby Championship, with a number of furious Western Force fans already asking for refunds on tickets purchased for the September 9 Test.
Others have stated that they will snub Wallaby gold in favour of blue Western Force supporter gear. With a large take-up of tickets now expected to come from South African expats in Perth, and the Australian contingent in the crowd wearing blue, the Wallabies will be the first national team in history to play a home game with more rival jerseys on show than their own.
“There will be a massive boycott, that is sad, but I think the stadium will be full because there are a large number of expat South Africans living in Perth,” WA Rugby president Hans Sauer told the Sunday Telegraph.
“It will be an away game for the Wallabies, there will be very few yellow jerseys in the crowd. That is what our national union has forced us into.
“I am advocating to all Force fans not to boycott it, but to wear the Force colours. We expect to have three or four of our own playing in that Test, it’s not the players who are at fault.
“We have a culture here, and a fan base and community that is still focusing on the principals of the game. We’re not ruthless, duplicitous and cowardly operators.”
