The "embattled" Super Rugby side Western Force launched a A$10M ($7.6M) fundraising drive to "save it from possibly being cut from the competition as early as next year," according to Greg Stutchbury of REUTERS. SANZAAR met in London two weeks ago to address "widespread criticism of the unwieldy 18-team format of its provincial competition." A total of "up to three teams" from Australia and South Africa could be "axed" for '18. The Perth-based Force is "one of the franchises in the firing line." The side, however, said on Thursday that "it would be asking for fans to purchase a total of 10,000 shares" at A$1,000 ($763.50) each to "keep the franchise afloat" and take it out of Australian Rugby Union ownership. Western Force Owners Ltd. Chair Tony Howarth said, "Fans will own the club and we'll have the rights to operate a professional Western Australian team that can participate in the Super Rugby competition." The Force said that the community ownership model was "similar" to that of Barcelona and the NFL Green Bay Packers (REUTERS, 3/23).
HARD THREATS: In Sydney, Wayne Smith reported there could be "huge repercussions from the Victorian government" if the ARU "decides to axe the Melbourne Rebels from Super Rugby." A planned Victorian rugby center of excellence, and "even proposed Bledisloe Cup Tests" at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, could be canceled if the ARU decides on a "last in, first out" solution. One franchise is expected to be "culled" from the Rebels, Western Force and ACT Brumbies. Victorian Sports Minister John Eren said, "Melbourne is the sporting capital of the country, no one does sport like we do. Rugby is growing faster here than in any other state. It would make no sense for the national body to boycott Victoria." The Victorian government is reportedly "backing up soft words with hard threats to reinforce the message to the ARU to leave the Rebels alone" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 3/24).