The Australian Rugby Union has "moved to allay fears of an ACT Brumbies takeover despite the club's off-field troubles," urging Canberra's rugby community to have "open minds" to ensuring a financially sustainable future, according to Chris Dutton of the CANBERRA TIMES. Interim Brumbies CEO Phil Thomson has "settled into the role after stepping in to fill the void left by Michael Jones after he agreed to a payout to leave the organisation." However, Thomson's links with the ARU via his role as its integrity unit manager "prompted fears in Canberra's rugby ranks that his appointment was part of a bigger plan to take control of the Brumbies." Thomson will remain in the position until the Brumbies board can find a permanent replacement, and it is believed the board "is set to engage a third-party recruitment agency to help with its search." ARU GM Rob Clarke declared Thomson's secondment to the capital was not part of a "Machiavellian plot" as officials try to make Australia's Super Rugby franchises financially viable. Clarke: "You need to have good, constructive dialogue about the challenges the club is facing and to collectively come up with a plan for how the Brumbies are best going to be managed" (CANBERRA TIMES, 5/18).
