The "crippling SANZAAR crisis over the size and composition of Super Rugby" is expected to be resolved within days, and the news is not good for the Western Force, according to Wayne Smith of THE AUSTRALIAN. Although the Australian Rugby Union has not made a "definitive call" -- and will not until it is confirmed that the Super Rugby competition next year will be reduced from the existing 18 teams to 15 -- the Force "is believed to have been earmarked to be culled." The Western Force issued a statement denying the team was "about to be axed." The statement said, "Under no circumstances do we believe today’s speculation around the future of the Road Safety Western Force to be true. Two and half weeks ago, through a national phone link-up all clubs were told that the ARU through the governing body, SANZAAR was investigating a number of issues and those issues had to be resolved prior to a decision being made to reduce any of the Australian franchises." Both SANZAAR and the ARU said that they expect an announcement "within a couple of weeks" but it is understood a press conference "could be staged in Sydney as early as next week." There is "still lots of ground to be covered, however," starting with the broadcasters from the four SANZAAR joint venture countries, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina. It is understood they "initially were prepared to consider a reduction in the size of the competition down to 15" but only if it involved dropping the Jaguares of Argentina and the Sunwolves of Japan. Presumably, the Southern Kings of South Africa "would also be culled" on a "last in, first out" basis (THE AUSTRALIAN, 3/27). In Sydney, Georgina Robinson reported the SANZAAR partners agreed to a 15-team model with one fewer Australian team and two fewer South African teams at a meeting in London earlier this month, but "final approval would not come" until the board of SA Rugby meets to vote on an outcome next week. The ARU reportedly "briefed the Super Rugby clubs that any decision on which team would be culled would be worked through after SANZAAR makes an official announcement." It is "highly likely the ARU has recommendations prepared on which team that should be," but the Force, the ACT Brumbies and the Melbourne Rebels "are all understood to be in the dark about what those might be" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 3/27).
SAFETY ZONE: The AAP reported the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds "were always going to be safe." The Brumbies "are Australia's most successful franchise, the privately-owned Rebels have struggled to make a mark" since their inaugural season in '11 and the Force "have never made the Super Rugby finals in their 11-season history." The Force "launched a new franchise ownership campaign last week with interested parties asked to buy shares in the club" (AAP, 3/28).
