Super saga isn’t done yet

ARU boss Bill Pulver will be front and centre at Sanzaar’s executive committee meeting in Tokyo today, but rugby fans shouldn’t hold their breath waiting to hear which Australian franchise is cut from Super Rugby.

The ongoing saga will be a priority discussion point when the competition’s rulers try to thrash out a solution after committing to a restructured 15-team format in 2018.

But with South Africa no closer than Australia to reaching a decision on which teams to remove as the Cheetahs and Kings fight for survival, no announcement is expected this weekend.

‘‘I do not expect any announcement to be made after the meeting given that SARU and ARU are still working their way through the processes,’’ Sanzaar media chief Greg Thomas said.

The ARU announced a month ago that either the Melbourne Rebels or Western Force would be cut, but both franchises are digging in to remain.

The Rebels are refusing to comment on reports that the ARU has made an offer to buy back the Super Rugby license.

Rebels owners, Andrew Cox and the Imperium Group, are reportedly set to launch a multi-million-dollar lawsuit against the governing body to recoup the damages cause by the ARU’s bid to axe them.

The Rebels, who insist the ARU has no legal right to remove them from the competition, say the relentless speculation has affected membership and ticket sales as well as their brand.