THE brutal truth emerging is that the Aussie side chopped from Super Rugby will be the only club to be dissolved because South African bosses are searching for a European lifeline.
Another day has ticked over with the endangered Melbourne Rebels and Western Force still no closer to learning of their fate for 2018 and beyond.
A special general meeting of the Australian Rugby Union will fill in some of the blanks because the push is on to disclose details of the strategic markers for the two clubs and the review process.
The agitation of the Rugby Union Players Association, which includes Wallabies skipper Stephen Moore as a board member, has pushed for the overdue outline of details.
A Rebels supporter lets the ARU know how he feels.Source:Getty Images
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander is insistent that the two clubs facing the axe in South Africa will still have a competition to play in.
Alexander said SA Rugby was in “advanced talks” with competitions in two different regions.
If the Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs and the Southern Kings, from South Africa’s eastern cape, are the imperilled clubs, they may, at least, still get top rugby to nourish them.
‘The whole plan is to ensure that the two teams (axed from Super Rugby) will take part in other competitions from 2018,” Alexander told South Africa’s Netwerk24.
“We do not want to condemn them to the wilderness. So if all goes well, all (six South African) teams will participate in an international tournament.”
European competitions may be cool on the idea of welcoming a South African side and the massive additional travel component.
The extra broadcast money that a Cheetahs side might leverage is a plus and PRO12, with teams from Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy may be looking to spice up their format.
The Southern Kings could relocate to Europe.Source:Getty Images
The refreshed Reds (16 points) return to training today to start preparations for the must-win game against the Force at Suncorp Stadium next Friday.
On the Reds’ bye weekend, how the Brumbies (19 points) fare against the in-form Kings in Port Elizabeth late tomorrow night (Qld time) will hold greatest attention.
The NSW Waratahs (14 points) have added the power of lock Will Skelton and winger Taqele Naiyaravoro for Sunday’s important clash against the Rebels in Sydney.
Reds lock Kane Douglas will be honoured in his home town of Yamba in northern NSW.
The local oval will be renamed Kane Douglas Rugby Field tomorrow in honour of the Super Rugby title-winner and 31-Test Wallaby.
Former Wallaby Chris Feauai-Sautia is recovering from a hiccup in his comeback.
A hamstring twinge was a blemish on his try-scoring return for Souths recently and the Magpies’ bye this weekend will mean another break.
Reds squad quartet Michael Gunn, Andrew Ready, Kirwin Sanday and Izack Rodda will bolster Easts for the clash against James Tuttle’s GPS side at Ashgrove.
Originally published as Aussies left for dead as SA teams look for lifeline
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