Decision on Super Rugby 2018 within the next few days

AUSTRALIA will find out if it is to lose a Super Rugby franchise as early as Sunday night, with SANZAAR poised to formally announce a new competition structure for 2018 and beyond.

UPDATE: AUSTRALIA will find out if it is to lose a Super Rugby franchise as early as Sunday night, with SANZAAR poised to formally announce a new competition structure for 2018 and beyond.

The Australian Rugby AGM is on Monday but the ARU board are set to hold a meeting on Sunday to finalise their position on whether to officially endorse a 15-team model.

With South Africa understood to have agreed to push forward with the model — and therefore cut two teams — the ARU board decision would also finalise the call on whether they’ll shut down an Australian team.

The Western Force are the team in the ARU’s sights and they’ll play on Sunday afternoon against the Kings in Perth at roughly the same time the board are deciding their future.

An official announcement from SANZAAR could come as early as Sunday night.

A damaging cone of silence has descended since the SANZAAR meeting in London in March where in an in-principle agreement was made to cut back to 15 teams, and return to unions and broadcasters for approvals.

It appears likely the ARU will push forward with the model but it is not a given.

Having only finished up negotiations with broadcaster FoxSports this week on a revised broadcast contract — which still expires in 2020 — the ARU board must first digest that information before making a call.

SANZAAR optimistically hoped the new model would be rubber-stamped “in coming days” after the London meeting but instead it’s taken a month.

All the talk is the Western Force will be the Australian team to be cut.

The hold up was believed to be South Africa trying to agree to cut two teams but the ARU’s talks with broadcasters also lengthened the delay, which may give hope to the five-teams advocates.

Theoretically, Australia could still withdraw its support for 15 teams if the FoxSports value is drastically reduced and thereby scuttle a reduced Super Rugby format.

Under the SANZAAR agreement, all major changes must be unanimous and each partner holds power of veto.

The Rugby Union Players Association gave one last push in its fight to keep five teams by issuing a flattering plea to the ARU board members to use their business acumen when making a final decision.

“The ARU board undoubtedly has a wealth of professional, experienced and respected business leaders with a proven track record of growing business all over the globe,” RUPA boss Ross Xenos said.

PODCAST: Payto and Panda are joined by special guest Brendan Cannon, who says Australian rugby is at its lowest ebb and calls for bold leadership from the ARU.

“We’d like to see that same growth mindset applied to Australian rugby for a vibrant and prosperous future rather than making further cuts to the game in an attempt to shrink our way to success.

“The ARU should hold the line and retain all five Super Rugby teams, and not make any concessions because of the ills of the past.

“This issue is not just about professional players this issue hits to the core of whether Australian rugby is a national and inclusive and accessible game.

Xenos said the Super Rugby review was “the most critical strategic juncture since the game went professional in Australia.”

He added that even if South Africa had agreed to cut two teams “that is in itself not a justification for Australian rugby to do the same.”

“This will have long-term ripple effects throughout all of Australian rugby, and importantly and grassroots and community level,” Xenos said.