Pete Samu of the Brumbies (L). (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
- Rugby Australia assumed ownership of the ACT Brumbies to centralize control of domestic rugby.
- Brumbies follow NSW Waratahs in ceding control, while Queensland Reds and Western Force resist.
- Centralization aims to improve performance by pooling resources, similar to New Zealand and Ireland.
Rugby Australia assumed ownership of the ACT Brumbies on Tuesday, as the governing body’s push for greater control of the domestic game gained 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.
