Australia will lose one of its five Super Rugby teams ahead of next year’s competition, according to Cheetahs boss Harold Verster.
Verster was quoted as saying the competition would be reduced from 18 teams to 16, with one franchise to be cut from both South Africa and Australia.
If true, the news does not bode well for the Kings, who would almost certainly be the South African team to face the axe. Verster has said he has been assured the Cheetahs are safe.
ROAR FORUM: WHICH AUSSIE SUPER RUGBY TEAM SHOULD GO?
In Australia, however, there has been much recent speculation about which side would miss out, if one is to be cut.
There is currently a review of the Super Rugby competition being held by SANZAAR with a meeting being held in London this weekend.
“All I can say is that we are safe. I keep my ear to the ground,” Verster said.
“There is much discussion about the current series and the format and two teams of South Africa will fall out and a team of Australia.”
“There was even speculation that we would return to a Super 12, but my information is that we are going to be reduced from the current 18 to 16 teams, which means the Cheetahs are safe.”
There does not appear to be any kind of risk that the Queensland Reds or NSW Waratahs would be on the chopping block.
However the Melbourne Rebels, Western Force and ACT Brumbies all have reason to potentially be concerned about their respective futures.
The Force, being owned and operated by the ARU, might loom as the team that could be most easily shut down.
The Rebels, however, have started the season in very poor form, and find themselves well outside rugby heartland.
The Brumbies are Australia’s most successful side and a solid proposition on the field, but had significant off-field drama last year.
The three sides must now endure a nervous wait until SANZAAR officially announces its plans for the future of the competition.
Woodsman
Guest
There's usually a kid setting s#$t on fire just to be a nuisance?
Jock Cornet
Guest
I'm surprised ROARERS are surprised. Did you honestly not see this coming. So called experts could not see that the quality of the Aussie player is terrible. We neeed a proper 2nd tier comp or a policy to get more leaguies. Experts on here are part of the priblem nofricken idea
Jay
Guest
A small market maybe, but one that has produced some of best rugby players ever to play for Australia.
Agent11
Guest
league, a "hard sport to take seriously" says the guy talking up a sport where you get awarded a point for missing...
Cynical Play
Guest
Not biting. Let's fight the chop altogether.... Stand united. No fan should lose their club Let's cut the ARU management....
frisky
Guest
As an ex-Raiders fan, whenever I go back to it, it find the repetitive play very frustrating. High levels of speed and skill, but spare me the three grunting runs, followed on the 4th with a passing movement, followed by a kick and chase. The game has been de-skilled in the last 30 years to differentiate it from union as union has become a more open game. If you want skill and varied entertainment, try watching the NZ sides in Super.
frisky
Guest
Is this just another rumour or is this a certainty?
Craigo
Guest
@Bored "And the NRL players would die on the field playing AFL. I remember seeing that fella who crossed from NRL to play for the Suns, he looked fat and slow. He needed to lay off the fast food and do some exercise." Yet that "Fella" you're taking about made it in the AFL's top grade competition and held his spot in the Suns side for many years. (now playing Rugby Union for the Reds) Not bad for someone who is fat and slow! To say Hunt was fat and slow shows how little you really know about sport and sounds like you're just preaching from the AFL's fans propaganda handbook. No way in the world could any AFL player just walk into a NRL first grade side like Hunt did in the AFL. He would be Physically Smashed into submission in the fist 10 min. AFL players these days look like skinny basketball players. "Mind you why would you get rid of the soon to be largest city in Australia and currently 2nd largest." Mate, Stop believing everything you read in the Herald Sun and The Age! Melbourne will never be bigger then Sydney. Again it sounds like you're just preaching from the AFL's fans propaganda handbook. Be happy being the second most populated state until Queensland takes over.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Too early - unless it is a proven fact it ain't happening ! And you work on that basis...
Lostintokyo
Guest
Aussie Rugby is on its death bed. Pity help us. If no SA side is cut then it really is a joke.
scottd
Guest
The best that the Melbourne Rebels have done is to win 7 games in a season. Well even the Force have won more in a season (8) and they are the current NRC Champions and World Club 10's Champions. My prediction (and if they are smart the ARU/SANZAAR will agree with me) is that the Rebels will be cut from Super Rugby and will become an NRC team with their participation to be reviewed again in the next 3 year review (or whenever). Go the Force!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blackfish
Roar Rookie
How does Harold Verster know? Thought there would be a cloak of confidentiality? SANZAAR meeting in London? Oh why not.
Blackfish
Roar Rookie
One out all out stands fine with me. I will still support Australian Rugby. Time to stand firm not quiver.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
All very interesting but as I understand it, SANZAAR partners must unanimously agree to changes (as I understand this excludes Japan for whatever reason), so I wonder if the ARU delegates vetoed any move or were they just there to make up the numbers. I find it interesting as they have been very quiet on their intentions.
Katipo
Guest
@Sheek I find it hard to agree that the Rugby Championship is a great tournament. It's a tournament played between great teams - it's got everything going for it - but it also fails to capture the public imagination under Sanzaar management. Ticket sales and TV viewership is down there too. And in 2017 the highlight of our rugby calendar is what? An good old-fashioned amateur-era British and Irish Lions tour! There is a lesson in that. What do rugby supporters want? Administrators who nurture and care for rugby's traditional values... TBH, I think it's reached the point where Sanzaar needs to be dismantled. But I'm not sure the unions have the leadership or brains to do it.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Why, you not tough enough bro ?
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Georgia and Russia got 55,000 - :)
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Don't waste your oxygen on little rebellion - he was just trolling... Remember the article comes from a south african with vested interests - dont believe anything about this unless it is officially announced by sanzaaaaaaar
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Heh Jacko, as my daughter says - ""Dad I'd agree with you but then we would both be wrong ! " :)
Markus
Guest
The Force's best season in 12 years has been a mid-table finish, even mediocre is a season aspiration out of their reach.