Western Force set to join five-team domestic rugby competition

Three years after being axed from Super Rugby, the Western Force are being invited back inside the tent for a domestic competition.

The Western Force are ready to answer the call to join a five-team domestic competition as Rugby Australia scrambles to provide some meaningful sport amid the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: Getty Images

Three years after axing the Western Force to save money, Rugby Australia will now turn to them in a bid to stave off a financial catastrophe amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Force are set to become part of a planned five-team domestic tournament, alongside the four Australian Super Rugby franchises, kicking off on April 3 if the situation allows.

Japan’s Sunwolves will be cut from Super Rugby, while the Western Force are expected to return for an Australian domestic competition.

The major developments come as rugby officials scramble to formulate content for broadcaster Fox Sports in order to keep money flowing in and avoid a financial disaster.

The Sunwolves, who had played two home games in Australia after the virus swept Japan, had returned home this week awaiting news.

SANZAAR announced Super Rugby was suspended for the foreseeable future, before Australia and New Zealand closed their borders, effectively ruling out overseas teams playing against each other.

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However, it is understood that the Sunwolves were advised on Friday that they would play no further part in Super Rugby for 2020. Given this is their last season — the decision to axe them was made last year — this signals the end of Japan’s only Super Rugby franchise.

SANZAAR is hoping that Japan can feature in a modified Super Rugby or international tournament in the future.

Given the extreme travel restrictions around the world, organisers are now resigned to there being no further Super Rugby games this year.

One model SANZAAR had worked on was to give the top three teams on the ladder now — the Sharks, Crusaders and Brumbies — guaranteed finals spots.

Each of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa would then hold separate domestic tournaments and the winners of those, or second to the Super Rugby conference leaders, would form the next three teams for a six-team finals series.

However, the rapidly changing landscape around the coronavirus means a finals series across different countries is now virtually impossible.

Instead, focus has shifted to a meaningful domestic competition involving the four Australian Super franchises and the Force, who were controversially axed from Super Rugby in 2017 to save Rugby Australia $5m a year, as the game faced going broke.

While sporting tournaments around the world have shut down, Australian competitions including the NRL and AFL are continuing to play in empty stadiums, in order to keep broadcast money trickling through.

Super Rugby teams are training to play in two weeks. The first mooted match will be held on Friday April 3, with the next the following day.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH