Australian Rugby Union CEO Says ARU Considering Cutting Costs 'Across The Board'

The Australian Rugby Union is "looking at across-the-board cost-cutting, including player payments, to improve the game's bottom line," according to Bret Harris of THE AUSTRALIAN. With the financial windfall from the recent British and Irish Lions tour "to be swallowed up over the next two years," the ARU is examining ways to "increase profitability and reduce losses." ARU CEO Bill Pulver said, "Everyone knows we have been under a little bit of pressure. Thankfully, the Lions tour delivered to expectations. The feeling is we will have a reasonable cash balance by the end of this year." Asked whether the cost-cutting included player payments, Pulver said, "It's across the board." There is also speculation the ARU was "looking to cut funding to premier rugby clubs in Brisbane and Sydney, but Pulver said that was yet to be determined" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 7/29).