Rugby Australia is working on other options if the mooted world league doesn’t go ahead, with a more meaningful Rugby Championship on the SANZAAR agenda.
The exact format for the mooted 12-team Nations Championship tournament, which would be played in all non-World Cup years, is still to be thrashed out.
Players have expressed concerns about workload and question marks remain over promotion and relegation and which nations would initially contest the competition.
While RA supports the concept, chairman, Cameron Clyne revealed his organisation was looking at other options if the tournament didn’t get a green light.
“We’re working with our SANZAAR partners to create new versions of the Rugby Championship with things going forward to the next broadcast cycle which hopefully will mirror that concept and create something that’s a bit more meaningful,” Clyne said.
Asked what changes could be implemented Clyne said: “We’re pretty flexible.”
“We’re happy to look at any of the concepts.
“Things like promotion and relegation, those sorts of things which I know are difficult concepts but that adds interest to the game.
“We’re open to any sort of formats.”
Clyne downplayed reports at least one Super Rugby franchise was unhappy with the 2021 switch to a 14-team round robin format.
He said SANZAAR had agreed on the change of format and didn’t anticipate any changes.
“The feedback quite clearly is there is potentially greater opportunities and integrity around a 14-team round robin,” he said.
RA recorded a net surplus of $5.2m in 2018 after reporting a $3.8m operational deficit the year before.
Part of the turnaround was due to the reduction of funding allocated to Super Rugby, after Western Force were cut from the competition.
The result will help RA deal with an expected loss in 2019, with Australia playing just three home Tests in a World Cup year.
“What the profit we’ve engineered for 2018 allows us to do is actually not have to cut (costs) by absorbing the loss we’re going to make in 2019,” Clyne said.
Tim Gavin succeeded another former Wallaby Tony Shaw as RA president and Phil Waugh replaced outgoing director and fellow Wallabies captain John Eales.
John R
Roar Guru
Is he presenting an opinion? It looks like he's refuting someone opinion, that has been presented as fact.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
As the Chairman he probably has to publicly represent the board, not his own individual views. All you and I know is how good a public speaker he is (Which isn't really he's main job - the CEO should really be the public face). We don't know what his personal decision making he is. I don't think there's a lot to question how the former NAB CEO is in the position as chairman of an organisation that has a turnover over around $120M annually. It's small fries compared to his CV. And I doubt he needed any Sydney mates to get the job - his CV is far in excess of what you'd require and there's not a million experienced executives falling over themselves to be involved in Rugby. At any level.
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
Fair rebuttal, so why was he so strongly for cutting the Western Force? Perhaps, like you state, Clyne enjoys playing hobbyist over Australian Rugby. He does not seem very competent nor decisive. His decision making is poor and prolonged, his public speaking terrible. So my question is, how is a man such as this in his position and does he really have the future and well being of a Australian Rugby as the a priority, or does his interests purely lie within NSW, Sydney Rugby being his only real interest? Eg, looking after his mates, perhaps the same mates that got him the position to start with
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Cameron Clyne may be the most horrible person on the face of the earth, but it's unlikely any RA board member is in it for themselves. There is almost no benefit to them. They are paid very little for their role. The only reason you would do the role is to have it on your CV, or if you felt an emotional attachment and wanted to try and help the game. Think of a politician, and then pretend they get paid 10% of what they do and ask why would somebody do that role? And then take out the benefit of legislation benefiting you financially. Australian Rugby has been in a freefall for about 15 years. Not sure how Castle is anything to do with it...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Other than the reality that there is no fact to support something not existing? Or is that concept a bit beyond you? Let's just say that since there are no records published of board voting, there are no public minutes released and EFF was not there, there's no basis for what EFF says.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I paid $35 to go to a daytime test in 2017...
KFar
Guest
They played daytime matches in 2017. They weren’t well attended Cry me a river. Why weren't they well attended.....because no one wants to pay high prices to watch their national team lose.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No. His continued claim is that it is all driven by Clyne.
Karl Charleton
Guest
His point is that as the over seer of the Force fiasco Clyne ha every little to no footing as someone to be believed in to provide a stable future for Aus Rugby But you know that and decided to split hairs.
TimO
Roar Rookie
Stop and think about that. So you're saying that Australians should support Aussie Rules over Rugby because the Wallabies lose, whereas Australia is the best in the world at Aussie Rules!?
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
Let me say this: don't trust a word this guy says. He is in this purely for himself and Sydney Rugby. He could not care less about anything and everything else. The suit is a dreg that dribbles and stumbles under pressure. The sooner he and Castle are gone the better. Both gutless.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Apparently Oz Super Rugby is 7m worse off with cutting the Sunwolves (being reported in the SMH today). I thought one of the drivers was to save money!
Gloria
Roar Rookie
Those were the days.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
They played daytime matches in 2017. They weren't well attended. As for your comment of inner city vs regional areas - more people live within an easy or affordable commute to an inner city stadium than a regional one. Brookvale for example is horrible to get to for everybody except those that live in the Northern Beaches. For every other resident of Sydney it's not an easy or affordable commute.
concerned supporter
Roar Rookie
TWAS Please explain how your opinion is substantiated by fact
Rugby4ever
Roar Rookie
Totally agree with Wise Old Elf. With last year's loss to England, the Wallabies notched up their worst win single year record since 1958!!!!! They are woeful. At least if we watch the game from the comfort of home, we can simply switch off and not face a trek across town. Ticket prices are far too high for what you get - cold empty stands, very ordinary food and drink on sale. As for the amenities.......... Bring back daytime matches!!! They are fun for everyone. Additionally: not every rugby fan lives within an easy (or affordable) commute to a huge inner city stadium. Rugby is played in regional Australia you know. Come on Super Rugby - go to the people! Most regional stadiums can easily seat the size crowds you pull and you'd get a great atmosphere. Brookvale was packed when the Waratahs deigned to play there this season.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No I don't think anything. I know Clyne was only one vote and on his own had zero power to drive anything which was not agreed. I know none of us were privy to the discussions are all the votes that occurred. No matter who many times you claim that it all just comes back to him. You are just continually trying to present your unsubstantiated opinion as fact.
piru
Roar Rookie
For those who've played Red Dead Redemption 2 Sanzaar: "I have a plan, I just need MONEY!"
Ex force fan
Guest
Of course Clyne was privy to the voting and decision making..... It is well known that all the members of the Board with the exception Rugby WA voted to axe the Force and that includes Clyne. TWAS thinks Clyne voted against axing the Force and then as a good Chairman do put his hand up to champion the axing of the Force, although he fundamentally disagree. TWAS is just trying to muddy the water as usual. It is an indictment on Australian rugby that someone with so little integrity, that is such a divisive figure as Cameron Clyne is still the Chairman of Rugby Australia. What a shame.
DNZ
Guest
I am a passionate rugby fan but it's true - it's a fringe sport when competing for commercial revenue. There are not enough rugby fans in this country for the sport to go up against the other two codes in prime time and playing afternoon games means the actual rugby community can't tune in because they're actually playing themselves. I love rugby, and I know a lot of people who are more casual observers and if they had to choose between the NRL/AFL and the Wallabies, a lot won't be watching the rugby.