Ambitious: Andrew Forrest has a heart to heart with Force skipper Matt Hodsgon. Credit:Stuart Walmsley/RUGBY.com.au "Let me assure you, this is not a great day for the ARU, this is a great day for Australian rugby," Forrest said. "Discussions have commenced across the world and within our own state and country to ensure this competition starts and starts strongly. "We will include strong and deeply powerful players, broadcasters and fans of rugby all across the Indo-Pacific region where some 60 per cent of the world's people live. "This is the beginning of the new Force, this is the beginning of the new Indo-Pacific competition and I am delighted to be an instigator of it. "Out of great disappointment comes greater opportunity. It will involve key countries across the Indo-Pacific region who have approached us or have publicly stated their deep conviction to rugby.

Emotional: Matt Hodgson struggles to hold back his tears after RugbyWA's appeal against the Force's axing was dismissed. Credit:Stuart Walmsley/RUGBY.com.au "I'd like to start it with an international game which is yet to be announced and you may be assured I don't let the grass grow under my feet, so it will be as soon as possible and much faster than the ARU could ever organise." The ARU is currently obliged to provide teams to SANZAAR that compete in Super Rugby but teams could potentially break away in the future once the current broadcast agreement runs out in 2020. Forrest said there was support from the ARU to think outside the box. "We've spoken to ARU directors and they have been very supportive of someone having the horsepower to grow rugby across the Indo-Pacific, and I can assure them of my determination.

"SANZAAR has been a very clear mistake for Australian rugby. I would not be surprised [if Australian teams walked away from SANZAAR], and I would be encouraging South Africa and New Zealand and the other teams to come across. If we get up into the Indo-Pacific region that's where all the world's economic growth is and that's where the game of rugby will be very powerful and centered from Western Australia." While hypothetical at this stage, problems could arise for players who still have ambitions of representing the Wallabies, with rules stipulating they have to be playing Super Rugby to be eligible for their country, unless they have chalked up 60 or more Tests. "The ARU has made some noise about acting in the players' best interest, so let's ensure they do this," Forrest said. "If they're sincere about the game, playing in this competition as a path to the Wallabies is something we should both mutually encourage." Force coach Dave Wessels threw his support behind Forrest's competition. "The way I envisage it is like an IPL of rugby," Wessels said. "He's got the intellect and capital to pull it off. It's a pretty exciting time for rugby.

"It's going to be for the players and their families what's the best thing for them." WA Premier Mark McGowan said he hoped Mr Forrest went ahead with his breakaway league. Loading "I hope Andrew Forrest carries out his threat and the ARU suffers as a consequence," he told Radio 6PR just minutes after the Supreme Court decision. With David Prestipino