ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK

KINGS Were rammed into the competition on a political ticket without any rugby pedigree to back their involvement. Last year they won twice, beating the Force and Sunwolves. They conceded, on average, 45 points per game and could hardly even say they were making up the numbers.

They aren’t going any better this year and with South Africa keen to cut costs, the Kings don’t have much hope of surviving. CHEETAHS If this reduction was having to be made a few years ago, it would have been the Lions and not the Cheetahs facing extinction.

But alas it is 2017 and while the Cheetahs made the playo s in 2013, they have only averaged four wins per campaign since they joined the competition in 2006. They remain a feeder club to the bigger South African sides and they just haven’t either o ered enough or suggested they ever will. WESTERN FORCE Australia have been brave and bold in taking rugby to new parts of the country. But the venture to Western Australia hasn’t been a success.

The mining boom has cooled o and without a strong economy, the ability of the Force to attract players has been lost.

The team is no good, they are up to their eyeballs in debt and it seems like the locals have got better things to do with their time than watch rugby. MELBOURNE REBELS Have finished near the bottom of the table every year. They had a few good players back in their early days and pull o the occasional unexpected victory, but they have been inconsistent and poorly supported.

Melbourne may be a sporting mad city but they haven’t gone for rugby. Well, they haven’t gone for the Rebels. Another club with money problems and a weak squad – the only reason to keep them is the potential importance of Melbourne as a financial centre within Australia. THE PLAN Cut three teams to create Super 15 in 2018 Probably group them in three five-team conferences Sunwolves to join Australian Conference Jaguares to join African Conferences Kings, Cheetahs and Force or Rebels to be cut New plan to be in place for 2020