Australia could lose a Super Rugby franchise with the Western Force and Brumbies most at risk

NO guarantees have been given that all five Australian Super Rugby franchises will survive beyond this year with the Western Force and Brumbies most at risk.

Western Force playing against the Brumbies last year. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

NO guarantees have been given that all five Australian Super Rugby franchises will survive beyond this year after the ARU board met on Monday to discuss their future strategy.

The Western Force and Brumbies would be most at risk if the ARU decides to agree to axe a team in 2018, although it’s understood any such move would rely on South Africa also axing one or two teams.

All SANZAAR partners will meet in March to discuss the best way forward for the struggling Super Rugby competition, with its confusing conferences and finals system turning fans away and convincing broadcasters that reducing the number of teams could be financially beneficial.

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If the South Africans want to stand firm on retaining six teams, then the ARU will not be willing to give up one of its five.

But if SARU bucked and agreed to lose a team or two as part of an overall reduction in competition size to make Super Rugby more palatable, Australia is willing to have a discussion about losing one franchise.

The Western Force could be lost to Super Rugby. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

It’s believed there will be three main models up for discussion at the SANZAAR meeting; cutting the tournament to 15 teams, 16 teams, or retaining the 18 teams but with a different finals system.

ARU chairman Cameron Clyne said their final decision must ensure that funding for grassroots rugby is greatly enhanced.

“What we’re looking at is what’s the best way to structure the competition going forward to maximise fan engagement, and to also ensure that the tournament is financially viable,” Clyne said.

“What we’re acutely aware of in Australian rugby is that there are escalating costs in the game, we’ve got player costs, competition from other markets, travel costs associated with the competition.

“All of those costs are impinging on our ability to do what we love to do, which is give more money to grassroots and community rugby.

“So we’re looking for a model that gives fan engagement and financial stability, and allows us to put more money back into grassroots.”

Clyne was noncommittal when asked if one of the options discussed at Monday’s board meeting in St Leonard’s was the axing of an Australian franchise.

Western Force playing against the Brumbies last year. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

“We looked at all the options, we’re one of the partners, there are four partners in Super Rugby, ourselves, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina and so we really have to debate a whole series of options,” Clyne said.

“We’ll be looking at what is the best way to structure the competition moving forward, what we did agree today was a whole series of options depending on what our joint venture partners also decide.

“We certainly have a series of preferences, as we take those forward into SANZAAR negotiations, how those preferences play out will depend on our partners.”

Originally published as Australia could lose a Super Rugby franchise with the Western Force and Brumbies most at risk