Super Rugby: Brumbies CEO Michael Jones wins injunction after he was stood down by club

BRUMBIES chief executive Michael Jones has won a temporary injunction against the Super Rugby franchise who stood him down.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 21: Brumbies CEO Michael Jones poses during the ACT Brumbies Super Rugby headshots session on January 21, 2015 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Postles/Getty Images)

BRUMBIES chief executive Michael Jones has won a temporary injunction against the Super Rugby franchise who stood him down.

Jones was removed from his position by the board following a weekend radio interview in which he was critical of the club’s finances.

Jones lodged paperwork at the ACT Supreme Court and was successful in seeking an injunction against the standing down on Tuesday afternoon, according to the ABC.

Jones and the Brumbies are set to return to court next Tuesday. Jones said outside court he was “happy that I’m going back to work”, reported Fairfax Media.

The action against Jones followed a surprise visit to Canberra by Australian Rugby Union boss Bill Pulver on Monday, with Brumbies chairman Rob Kennedy informing the CEO of his decision hours later. “It was with great regret that I informed Michael of the board’s decision,” Kennedy said in a statement on Monday night.

“However, I believe this decision is in the best long term interest of the Brumbies.” Jones earned the ire of Brumbies board members on Saturday, when he told ABC Grandstand he was concerned about the future of the club.

The Brumbies are currently under investigation by ACT Police, after Jones called on them to investigate a deal signed by previous management with the University of Canberra.

“If the Brumbies cease to be an entity, which is one of the very foreseeable outcomes ... the ARU will be in default of the SANZAAR agreement, because they are required to field five teams every week,” Jones said on Saturday.

“And if this organisation folds and goes into administration the ARU is in default.

“They are big stakes games that a lot of these guys are playing, and its fairly irresponsible of most of them to do it.” The Brumbies took a reported $1.68 million loss in 2015, and Jones told ABC they have made a profit just once in the past 11 years.

Originally published as Super Rugby: Brumbies CEO Michael Jones wins injunction after he was stood down by club