Australian Rugby Union CEO Bill Pulver said that he is "still quietly confident the game's governing body will be able to cut a Super Rugby team as arbitration with Rugby WA draws closer," according to Tom Decent of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. It has now been "more than 100 days" since Pulver and ARU Chair Cameron Clyne fronted the media and said that "either the Western Force or Melbourne Rebels would be chosen as the team to be axed." Since then, legal complications have "hindered the ARU's attempts to act" and Pulver is now waiting for arbitration between the ARU and Rugby WA, which is due to start on Monday. It "would appear" the Force is the one "in the firing line but there is no guarantee the ARU will get its wish," given the Perth-based franchise will argue it has an agreement in place that guarantees its future in Super Rugby until '20 (SMH, 7/27).
TOO SOON: REUTERS' Greg Stutchbury reported Japan "may one day be considered for inclusion in the Rugby Championship" but the current focus is on "improving the competitiveness" of the Tokyo-based Sunwolves in Super Rugby, New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Tew said. World Rugby Vice-Chair Agustín Pichot has been "vocal about expanding the opportunities for second-tier countries." However, while Tew recognized Japan would "benefit from regular competition," he said that it was "too soon to talk about" the nation joining the All Blacks, Australia, South Africa and Argentina in the Rugby Championship. Tew: "At some stage, Japan being considered for the Rugby Championship would be on the table but, clearly, that has to come at a time when they were able to compete" (REUTERS, 7/27).