Super Rugby players from the Western Force, Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels are on tenterhooks as speculation heightens that an Australian team is to be axed.
Chief executives from all five Australian franchises were briefed on recent developments by senior Australian Rugby Union (ARU) officials on Tuesday, just hours after a report emerged claiming an Australian team is to be cut.
The Force, Rebels and Brumbies are considered the local sides under most threat.
Harold Verster, CEO of South African team the Cheetahs, told media he understood one Australian team and one of South Africa’s six teams will go, with the competition to be reduced from 18 teams to 16 for next season.
It follows the meeting of governing body SANZAAR in London last week which discussed detailed proposals to fix the unwieldy and unbalanced competition, driven by financial pressure and disillusioned fans.
“There was even speculation that we would return to a Super 12, but my information is that it is going to be reduced from the current 18 to 16 teams, which means the Cheetahs are safe,” Verster said on online news site Netwerk24.
“All I can say is that we are safe. I keep my ear to the ground.”
The ARU wouldn’t comment on Verster’s assertion, deferring to SANZAAR to make an official announcement after stakeholders across several nations were briefed by their national unions.
Wallabies star Michael Hooper was adamant on Tuesday that Australia could support five competitive teams.
“From being part of the Brumbies it has a really rich history and people are very passionate about our Capital Territory having a team,” said NSW Waratahs captain and former Brumbies flanker Hooper.
“I’m not sure what’s going to happen, but the Brumbies is a strong club and one that you’d like to see continue in the comp.
“I think Australia can have five teams in the competition.
“The Force have come out this year and done some really good things within the competition and they have been the name that’s been thrown around a lot (to be cut).
“We want to see five (Australian) teams in the comp. As players we want guys having as much opportunity to wear a Wallaby jersey as possible so I’m all in favour of having five teams and a competitive five teams at that.”
Hooper said it was a tough situation for players of any of the Australian franchises in danger of being culled.
“All you can look forward to and focus on is actually what you can control and that’s playing games on the weekend.”
He acknowledged the convoluted format of the Super Rugby competition made it hard for some people to follow but felt the actual product was good.
“It’s such an enjoyable game of rugby to play and I’m sure it’s a really enjoyable game to watch for spectators, that there’s a great product there, it’s just finding the right balance.”
Maroon Kev
Guest
First intelligent comment I've read from you buddy! Spot on!
Maroon Kev
Guest
Top 14 has to go to 14 teams not 5 but buddy!!!
Wild Horses
Guest
Cannot agree more Battered Slav! Melbourne will never adopt rugby. It already has three strong codes, with strong successful franchises. The Rebels are a basket case with a losing culture and shallow talent pool. Having private backers should not be the defining factor in their participation in super rugby. The Brumbies are the heart of Australian rugby, they are most successful franchise which has produced more Wallabies than any other team. Brumbies go for the sake of Australian rugby. I love rugby! But if the Brumbies go Rugby is dead to me! The game must come before the administration! If the franchises and the fans don't take rugby back I fear this may be the beginning of the end.
hein cloete
Guest
Maybe 8 years ago Naas Botha said that the Super rugby competition is no good for SA rugby. His idea then was for SA rugby to join up with Europe. Travelling, time zone(1 hour) player exodus to Europe etc. That is the way to go. Cut no Aus team that would be going backwards. Let SA play in Europe. End of season the top 4 from each conference can play each other home and away with the final on neutral ground. That will generate plenty interest and money. On Saturday the Force played well and should have won. The commentator said that 7 of the match day 23 were Perth born and bred. That comes from having a Super team in Perth. When the Kings first played a lot of their players were unheard of. After 1 season maybe half those players were playing for other franchises. A lot of players will never get a chance if teams are cut.
Steve
Guest
That Top14 deal is only for the 26 rounds, the there is the $ from the final series, the $ from the European Cup and the grant each club receives from the FFR. We will never compete.
Baylion
Roar Rookie
Top14's TV deal is about AUD136m p.a. compared to the ARU's AUD57m p.a. cut of the SANZAAR pie, which includes the Rugby Championship as far as I know. Add sponsorships and owner funding
Wombatwood
Guest
I can't think of anything worse than cutting the Brumbies and I'm a Tahs supporter. Melbourne or WA I could understand,maybe?
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Just don't mention food poisoning.
Jock Cornet
Guest
When your teams are that bad there was no alternative. Until you improve the 2nd tier and start getting quality players super teams will be discarded. There should be more NZ teams
The OG AlBo
Roar Guru
Genuine question: What if every part of Brumbies was retained, the name, the jersey (with maybe a minor alteration) and the history... except you lost ACT and got something less specific but would actually now cater to fans outside the ACT, of which there are plenty across rural NSW... I've said Southern, but there could be others. and you lost half the games to Melbourne. I can imagine this would be a sticking point for those who go to every match but I know that it's very hard for people to do that these days. I know it's not ideal, but would that be bareable? I say this as a Brumbies fan, not supporter. I know that it's easy for me to say knowing that my team, NSW, won't be up for the chop... but I would love to think there's a way out without losing support of the great Brumbies fans if it were to be them.
The OG AlBo
Roar Guru
I tabled Southern Brumbies before. I think Brumbies history needs to be maintained but IF there needs to be a presence in Melbourne then this is the best way. Most Brumbies fans live outside of the ACT anyway in Southern NSW. I think that this way you keep some of the Brumbies history but lose the state name (which is not the defining factor for a lot of Brums fans) and all they lose is some games to Melbourne. Considering the other possibilities I think that might be the least disruptive solution.
Mr T
Guest
As a rusted on rugby and Brumbies fan for my whole life with 3 boys playing currently. If the Brumbies go then it will be with great sadness that it will be the end of following this game that I love for me. I feel sick thinking about it and would never get over being cheated. My youngest son came up to me almost in tears yesterday after hearing it. I am also sure Force and Rebels fans would be feeling the same. I dont wish it upon anyone. This is a damn shame we have got to this.
MelR
Guest
This takes me back to my Highschool Hamlet play..."something is rotten in the state of denmark!!!!" The silence of the ARU is deafening!!!!
The Battered Slav
Guest
Well if the greedy, short sighted and spineless ARU won't go into bat for us, the fans will have to do something. Surely the ACT Gov would have a significant interest in keeping the Brumbies around. Surely. Not sure what they can do as the decision seems to have been made. I honestly feel sick at the thought of the Brumbies getting axed, I really do. And to the rest of you: First they came for the Brumbies, and I did not speak out. Because I was not a Canberran... This affects all of Aus rugby negatively, and fans, rugby fans not just Brumbies fans, need to make their displeasure known at the gutless, spineless lack of fight shown by the ARU in this travesty. This will be the worst thing to happen to Aus rugby since the disappearance of Qld from the rugby radar early last century.
Cynical Play
Guest
Mate... if this is true... then we fans need to get active somehow and shout this thing down. Absolutely the Brumbies should not be sacrificed.... Foxtel cancellations would be a start Pitch invasions Protesting Pulver at every turn ....I dont know who to target, but the Brumbies must stay... proudest heartland equal to any Oz franchise... culture of winning and competing equal to any... vital to Oz rugby F...ing Foxtel has alot to answer for
Cynical Play
Guest
please explain..
Gus
Guest
Why would they come out before the official statement? That would be the stupidest thing they could do. After they make the decision they have to talk to the clubs, sponsors, broadcasters and alot more interests. Its not just the ARU in this. The decision was only made yesterday and who wants to find out they are out of a job from the papers? In regards to knocking the Brumbies out, they used to be strong, not lately, ACT used to be a Brumbies/Raiders town. Raiders pulled 20k on the weekend. Brumbies sub 12k. Force are producing WA rugby players finally and is what the broadcasters would want for a 930pm AEST game. Rebels are privately owned and probably have HUGE fees if the contracts are broken.
DaveR
Guest
The logical competition structure is 4-4-4 plus Japan plus Argentina, if financing dictates the last two be included. This 14 team comp is very workable, has appropriate byes etc. But try and get NZ and SA to make the necessary contribution to this! The ARU will rue the day they allowed SA to bring in the 6th team. That was the beginning of the end.
Jacko
Guest
This reminds me of the kid who saw lollies on the table at a party. He took his 3 favorite one's and then decided he would have 1 each of the other 2 lollies on the table he had never tried-and he really liked those too. Then later in the party its time to go home and his dad say's he can choose 4 lollies to take home.......What a dilemma which 1 to leave out?...does he have a new favorite?......Which old favorite to leave out?...which new flavor to include? Only thing is, this isnt about lollies, and choosing only 4 will do damage to the sport, and mainly its fans.
cjb
Guest
TVNZ sport is reporting that 2 South African teams are to be cut, and 1 from Australia, returning the competition to 15 teams. Could one assume that this could also be the death of the conference system?