Brumbies voted not to get on board that centralisation model..
But i believe they’ve only delayed the inevitable, the buisness model of a Super Rugby team in Canberra isnt sustainable long term under the current tournament design and grant distributions, let alone any state. But ACT are more so precariously positioned, with little equity left, ongoing financial pressures and no real benefactors obvious for the rescue.
WA are backed by Twiggy, and QLD now have Ballymore generating some revenue and healthy corporate support, but that corporate support wont remain if the Super Rugby keeps declining in interest.
Adam, I wasn't aware the matter had been put to a vote by the Brumbies. Can you tell me when the vote took place and who voted? I certainly didn't get a vote as a member. Precisely what was the model that was rejected?
As I understand the situation, the Brumbies and Reds have given their support to High Performance centralisation/alignment but are baulking at any takeover by RA of their commercial and IP interests. I probably haven't kept up with all the latest developments if as you say the Brumbies have rejected a proposed model of centralisation. I know there's been a lot of organisational change going on at RA including the demise of both the national coach and the Chairman of the Board, but I really haven't seen any information at all coming out of RA about the current status of negotiations or model development with the franchises, and that's consistent with their complete lack of information and detail about any model before the personnel changes.
The latest information I have on the subject is a statement from the Brumbies dated 29 October (
https://brumbies.rugby/news/brumbies-open-to-centralisation-highperformance-changes-20231028) which clearly states that they are prepared to agree with many aspects of centralisation. Contrast that with the apparent absence of similar information from RA unless of course you are able to point to a description of their proposed model and provide detail of the vote by the Brumbies to not get on board.
Your belief that the Brumbies are at most risk in the future might well be right on the mark. I would personally find that abhorrent and it would see the end of my interest in Aussie rugby, but I do concede that rugby in this country is likely to be in dire straits before any benefit is realised from upcoming Lions tour and RWC. However, I hope you are not just muddying the waters by suggesting the Brumbies have voted down a RA proposal (which as far as I can see just doesn't exist) and have in some formal sense scuppered any and all moves towards some alignment of operations across the franchises.
My own ideas about what might happen if centralisation goes on, are :
1. The Brumbies are relocated to western Sydney (say Campbelltown in the SW) and renamed the McArthur and Southern Highlands Brumbies;
2. The Rebels are declared bankrupt and closed down;
3. Selected Brumbies and Rebels players will be offered positions at the Rugby Australia Waratahs where it is deemed there are deficiencies in the squad. The sole purpose of Centralisation being to make our Waratahs Great Again (MOWGA);
4. Those players along with most of the remainder from the current Brumbies and Rebels will say no thanks and take on long term overseas contracts;
5 The Force will be invited to start up their own competition with Asian based teams and once again be cast adrift by RA;
6. RA will enter a contract with NZRU to play three teams in Super Rugby, being the Reds, their Tahs and the MaSH Brumbies;
7 All three teams will be decimated for players and finish the bottom three side in perpetuity;
8 GAGR closes down for lack of interest.
