Advertisement
ACT Brumbies players during their Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the Blues. Alamy Stock Photo

Rugby Australia takes control of ACT Brumbies

Governing body aims to put in place similar model to that of Ireland and New Zealand.

RUGBY AUSTRALIA HAVE assumed ownership of the ACT Brumbies, as the governing body’s push for greater control of the domestic game gains momentum.

Faced with a precarious financial position and a decline in their international standing, Rugby Australia has been looking to take control of the country’s four Super Rugby teams.

Centralisation would allow Rugby Australia to pool stretched resources with the aim of improving performance – a model similar to New Zealand and Ireland.

The Brumbies have followed NSW Waratahs in ceding control to Rugby Australia, but the other Super Rugby sides, Queensland Reds and Western Force, have so far resisted.

“Through taking on the ACT Brumbies business, Rugby Australia has committed to managing and supporting the organisation through an exciting period for rugby in Australia,” Brumbies chief executive Phil Thomson said in a statement.

Rugby Australia said it would take ownership of the Brumbies’ “professional rugby operations and related business assets”.

ACT Brumbies are one of Australia’s most successful sides and were the only non-New Zealand team to make the semi-finals in Super Rugby this year.

The debt-laden Melbourne Rebels were shut down by Rugby Australia at the end of the Super Rugby season last month.

A long-time powerhouse of international rugby union, two-time World Cup winners Australia are currently eighth in the world rankings.

Last year the Wallabies failed to make the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history under Eddie Jones.

New coach Joe Schmidt enjoyed a winning start when Australia beat Wales 25-16 on Saturday.

– © AFP 2024

Author
AFP
View 4 comments
Close
4 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel