The Rugby Union Players' Association "has armed the Australian Rugby Union with two workable competition models that will allow Australia to retain its five Super Rugby franchises" whether SANZAAR cuts the competition to 15 teams or stays at 18, according to Smith & Davidson of THE AUSTRALIAN. SANZAAR had a "working- party meeting in London" ahead of the summit of CEOs of the four joint venture parties -- Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina -- on Friday to "thrash out what to do with Super Rugby -- if indeed they do anything at all." Increasingly, it "looks as though the minimalist approach will be preferred -- at least for the duration of the current broadcast deal -- which would be great news indeed" for the two Australian teams "most in jeopardy," the Western Force and the Brumbies. There "are, however, so many moving parts to these negotiations that the ARU has prepared multiple strategies for multiple scenarios," with no one "knowing for certain" what the sticking points might be. But, "seemingly, RUPA has found ways of keeping all five Australian teams in Super Rugby regardless of whether SANZAAR opts for a Super 18 or Super 15." Whatever is decided in London "will have to be run past the Super Rugby broadcasters in each of the joint venture nations." Any of them could "effectively veto what SANZAAR proposes." Fox Sports CEO Patrick Delany "declined to comment on the broadcasters’ position" in relation to a possible reduction of the five Australian franchises. However, observers believe Fox Sports "would have a significant issue if any of the Australian teams were jettisoned" during the remaining three-year term of the current broadcast deal (THE AUSTRALIAN, 3/10).
