Despite figures showing the Australian Rugby Championship (ARC) could lose $8 million in its first two years, the players’ union said the decision to dump the competition was premature.
After just one season, and a financial shortfall of $4.7 million, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) terminated the second-tier competition, saying it was the only financially responsible thing to do.
Despite unions reluctantly accepting the decision, Rugby Union Players’ Association (RUPA) chief executive Tony Dempsey said the ARU had pulled the pin too early – and could have found the money by cutting other areas of rugby red-tape.
“We can’t help but feel this decision is premature,” Dempsey said.
“We understand the need to be fiscally responsible. However there has existed since October … the opportunity to embark upon a rationalisation of the key development programs that exists in Australian rugby.
“These include the Australian 7s, Australia A, Premier Rugby, National Talent Squad and state union academy programs.
“And given that ARC was not due to commence until August next year such a process of rationalisation is not unreasonable.”
Dempsey also said the opinion of players had been ignored.
“Survey results and general feedback from the ARC’s key participants – the players – was overwhelmingly in support of the competition’s values and achievements,” Dempsey said.
Saying the $4.7m first year loss was $2m over budget, ARU deputy chief executive Matt Carroll said a tough decision was needed.
“Strong leadership is paramount to the success of our game and … continuing with the ARC was considered to be an untenable financial risk for the ARU and rugby as a whole,” Carroll said.
But senior players, including Wallaby and Waratah Adam Freier, said they were disappointed and frustrated at the decision.
“The future generation of Wallabies and Super 14 players benefited enormously from this tournament,” Freier said.
“The cost of the loss of player development opportunities is hard to measure.
“But we believe the players should have had greater input into such a decision, given its impact on our ability to develop younger players.”
David Croft, Queensland Red and captain of the now-defunct Melbourne Rebels, said Australian rugby had been crying out for a stepping stone competition between club and Super 14.
“There are many long term important benefits of this competition that can not be recorded on a balance sheet,” Croft said.
“The players and I all bought into this concept and built teams and established cultures that we can all be proud of.
“It doesn’t seem right for it to be that easily taken away. I believe that the decision to withdraw this competition is a big step backwards.”
But Arvid Petersen, chairman of NSW Rugby said the demise of the ARC was disappointing but inevitable.
“Although the ARC produced some wonderful results on the field … NSW is exposed more than anyone with three teams,” said Petersen.
“Rugby-wise the tournament was a great success and it has shown the way for the future, providing we get the model right.”
And Peter O’Meara, chairman of Rugby WA said he hoped the concept would not be abandoned.
“The players want it, the fans want it and Australian rugby needs it,” O’Meara said.
“We hope that in the not too distant future a new, more sustainable national tournament rises from the ashes.”
Carroll said the ARU was still committed to another high-quality competition in Australia.
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