ARU chairman could quit if Super cull fails

AUSTRALIAN Rugby Union chairman Cameron Clyne has indicated he will stand down from his position if the game’s governing body decides it cannot legally cut a Super Rugby team next season.

Clyne was also unable to confirm whether the Melbourne Rebels’ licence had been sold to the Victorian Rugby Union; an outcome that would make the ARU’s task of chopping a team even more difficult.

Speaking at a Sydney University Football Club lunch on Friday, Clyne was asked for an update on how the ARU was going with the increasingly difficult task of removing either the Rebels or Western Force from Super Rugby next season.

Clyne restated his position that Australian rugby was better off with four teams but it was a throwaway line that hinted he would not be there for too much longer if things did not go the way of the ARU.

‘‘We’ve made the tough decision and it is going to be difficult but the good thing is when we get through the process – if we end up with five teams it’ll be someone else’s problem because I won’t be around,’’ Clyne said. ‘‘If we get to four teams, of course, I think we’ll have a really strong Super Rugby next year.’’

Fairfax Media approached Clyne afterwards to clarify what he had said. ‘‘I just don’t believe Australian rugby can support five teams,’’ Clyne said. ‘‘At that point in time [if the ARU could not cut a team], I’d address it [my position] then.’’

Then asked whether he could confirm speculation out of Melbourne that owner Andrew Cox has handed over his licence to the VRU, Clyne said. ‘‘I’m not aware that it’s happened,’’ he said. ‘‘I don’t think it’s happened because I don’t know about it.’’

Fairfax Media understands Cox has not addressed Rebels players yet but those within the club are under the impression he has sold the licence.

Pressed on whether the Rebels’ chances of survival would increase if the VRU acquired the licence, Clyne said: ‘‘It’s hypothetical, so I don’t know.’’

The ARU has said it will take no action before arbitration begins on July 31 between itself and the Force to find out whether they have legal grounds to remove the Western Australian franchise from the 2018 competition.

Clyne spoke optimistically about the future of rugby but made it clear ‘‘emotion doesn’t pay the bills’’.

‘‘The reality is rugby is professional. There’s a straightline correlation between on-field performance and when teams aren’t performing, you’re not getting money. Simple as that.’’ The Sun-Herald