The Australian Rugby Union "denied it has sacked" Super Rugby side Western Force, the Force insisted it is "very much a going concern," according to Wayne Smith of THE AUSTRALIAN. But it may well be that the club's "survival depends on how airtight is a legal clause signed when the national body took control of the club." The ARU refuted claims that the Force was "earmarked for the axe if SANZAAR opts to reduce Super Rugby from its existing 18 teams to just 15," and it "makes sense that no irrevocable decisions have been taken until the broadcasters and South Africa have made their positions clear." This "whole unlikely saga has been brought about by a SANZAAR strategic review aimed, in part, at culling two teams from South Africa and one from Australia in order to make Super Rugby more competitive and compelling." Although the ARU "now seems bound by a Trappist-like vow of silence, all indications are that it has been working diligently on which team to jettison -- if that is required." While it "might deny that any decisions have been made, the strong rumour circulating in Australian rugby on Monday was that the Force had been chosen." Broadcasters "could scuttle the entire project by refusing to meet Australia’s demand" that any change that is implemented to Super Rugby -- especially a reduction in teams -- cannot result "in a reduction of broadcast income." If the broadcasters demand compensation, "then all bets are off and the Force will survive, at least until the end of the broadcast deal" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 3/28).
