The ACT Brumbies are reportedly set to avoid the Super Rugby axe after the Western Force emerged as the Australian team on the SANZAAR chopping block.
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News Ltd reported on Monday night the Western Force would be cut from the competition if SANZAAR partners agree to a 15-team model for Super Rugby.
The Brumbies have been plagued by rumours for almost a month after the ARU and SANZAAR bosses refused to detail information from a meeting in London about the competition's structure.
It's understood all countries agreed that reducing Super Rugby from 18 to 15 teams was the preferred model, meaning two South African and one Australian side will be exiled.
However, that is reliant on South African rugby and political figures agreeing to cut two of their teams and there is continued uncertainty about the future.
If South Africa refuses to cull the number of its teams, the Force will survive.
Force boss and former Brumbies leader Mark Sinderberry said: "There's nothing to say, we haven't been given any further information and we remain positive about the future of the Western Force."
The Brumbies had been given no guarantee on Monday night about their future but the speculation about the Force is the strongest indication yet of which Australian team is in the most danger.
The Brumbies launched a call to arms of fans last week after speculation continued about their place in Super Rugby, despite being two-time champions.
The ARU and SANZAAR silence sparked rumours of a merger between the Brumbies and the Rebels, but it now appears both are safe and the Force is in the firing line.
The Force issued a statement on Monday night, saying: "Under no circumstances do we believe today's speculation around the future of the Western Force to be true.
"Two and half weeks ago, through a national phone link-up all clubs were told that the ARU through the governing body, SANZAAR was investigating a number of issues and those issues had to be resolved prior to a decision being made to reduce any of the Australian franchises.
"There has been no further contact from the Australian Rugby Union to any of the Western Force players or staff, so at this time there is no further comment on the matter until substantiated facts are put forward."
"Until then the organisation will be business as per usual, with the team taking on the Blues in Auckland this Saturday and the launch of the Own the Force share applications this Thursday.
Sources have suggested that Australian broadcaster Fox Sports favours a model without the Western Force over losing a team in Canberra or Melbourne. Chief executive Patrick Delany could not be reached for comment on Monday.
More than 24,000 people voted in a Fairfax Media poll about which Australian team should be cut, with 46 per cent saying the Rebels should go.
The Force were the next best with 32 per cent while the Brumbies had just 10 per cent of votes.
Fairfax Media revealed earlier this month the ARU asked Australian teams to delay contract talks with non-Wallabies players until the Super Rugby issue was resolved.
If the Force is cut, their players with contracts for future seasons will be spread around the Australian franchises.
But it will also mean some at the Brumbies, Rebels, NSW and Queensland who are off contract at the end of the year may be forced to look abroad for new deals.
The Brumbies have more than 20 players off contract at the end of the year and while they have been able to talk about the future, the uncertainty has forced a host of Australian players to explore overseas options.
The Force's potential demise could also open the door for the Brumbies to snare some of the Perth-based franchise's big guns, including Dane Haylett-Petty or Adam Coleman.
The Brumbies were nervously waiting for SANZAAR's decision but their on-field form and rich history as one of Super Rugby's foundation teams appears to help them avoid being cut.
The Brumbies have pushed ahead despite the uncertainty, interviewing coaching candidates last week and continuing the process this week to find a replacement for Stephen Larkham.
Former Wallabies playmaker Larkham will leave the club at the end of the season to become a full-time Wallabies assistant coach in the build up to the 2019 World Cup.
