Long-time ACT Brumbies administrator Geoff Larkham has hit out at speculation on the club's future, warning Australian rugby officials the Canberra rugby community will "wither and die" if the franchise is axed.
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The Brumbies go into their clash against the NSW Waratahs on Saturday night with a cloud of uncertainty still hovering above the club as officials delay an announcement on Super Rugby's future.
ACT deputy chief minister Yvette Berry voiced the government's support of the Brumbies on Friday, adding they would have to reconsider a funding partnership if the Brumbies were merged with Melbourne.
SANZAAR's 'cone of silence' has sparked speculation about which Australian team would be cut if the Super Rugby format is overhauled.
One rumour was a proposed merger between the Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels, but both clubs have rubbished the claim.
Larkham, who retired last year after two decades as a board member and 12 years as Brumbies president, said cutting the Brumbies would be dire for the capital's amateur rugby ranks.
"I can't see any reason why the ARU would cut the Brumbies. They're the most successful club on the field and the community rugby program is better than anyone else in Australia," Larkham said.
"Kicking the Brumbies out is like cutting off your right arm. It's not the right way to go.
"It's been the cash cow for rugby in the area and without [the Brumbies], our grass roots would wither and die.
"We've got the best community rugby program and stepping stones in Australia barring none. The others don't have a pinch to what we've got in the ACT, it's a shame the Brumbies are even being talked about."
Brumbies officials will ramp up their search for a new head coach next week when they interview a shortlist of candidates to replace outgoing mentor Stephen Larkham.
The ARU is involved in the process to find a new Canberra coach, and it's unlikely the game's governing body in Australia would have allowed interviews to proceed if they were considering cutting the Brumbies.
The Brumbies were plagued by off-field drama last year, but they have been the most financially stable club of Australia's five franchises.
They borrowed $450,000 from the ARU but paid back the debt when they moved into a new $15 million base at the University of Canberra.
Other hurdles for axing the Brumbies include a 30-year pre-paid lease at the university and a five-year agreement with the government to play games at Canberra Stadium.
The ACT Rugby Union board also owns the rights to the Brumbies brand and any bid to merge teams or axe the Brumbies would have to be tabled in the board room.
ACT sport minister and deputy chief minister Berry conceded the Brumbies' future would also likely affect delayed plans to build a new $300 million stadium in Civic.
The plans have been put on hold while the government pushes ahead with its light rail project, but without the Brumbies the venue would be used only for Canberra Raiders home NRL games.
"We've spoken to the Brumbies and assured them of our support," Berry said.
"We'll do all of we can to help the cause. They've been here for 21 years, they're a founding team and there's huge support here.
"They live here, their families live here and they're an important part of the community ... We would have to re-evaluate [our funding] depending on what happens."
The Brumbies, one of three foundation Australian teams, increased their average viewership on Fox Sports last year and had four of the top 10 Super Rugby audiences.
The Brumbies have also been a factory for Wallabies players, with almost 50 per cent of the club's representatives earning Australian honours.
It is hoped the Brumbies will attract a big crowd to the club's clash against the Otago Highlanders at Canberra Stadium next weekend to fire a message to the ARU and SANZAAR.
"It would be dreadful if anything happens to the Brumbies ... the worst possible option would be for the brand to leave Canberra," Geoff Larkham said.
The Brumbies risk losing a chunk of their squad after the ARU told clubs not to sign non-Wallabies players until Super Rugby's problems were resolved, but skipper Sam Carter said it was not a distraction.
"It's all speculation at the moment ... unless we hear some concrete facts there's nothing we can do," Carter said.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND FOUR
Saturday: NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies at Allianz Stadium, 7.45pm. To donate to the Brumbies' World's Greatest Shave, visit: http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/brumbies
Brumbies team: 15. Aidan Toua, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Kyle Godwin, 11. Nigel Ah Wong, 10. Wharenui Hawera, 9. Joe Powell, 8. Jordan Smiler, 7. Lolo Fakaosilea, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Josh Mann-Rea, 1. Ben Alexander. Reserves: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Nic Mayhew, 18. Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Blake Enever, 20. Ben Hyne, 21. De Wet Roos, 22. Jordan Jackson-Hope, 23. Andrew Smith.
Waratahs team: 15. Andrew Kellaway, 14. Reece Robinson, 13. Israel Folau, 12. Irae Simone, 11. Rob Horne, 10. Bryce Hegarty, 9. Nick Phipps, 8. Jed Holloway, 7. Michael Hooper, 6. Jack Dempsey, 5. Will Skelton, 4. Dean Mumm, 3. Sekope Kepu, 2. Tolu Latu, 1. Tom Robertson. Reserves: 16. Hugh Roach, 17. Paddy Ryan, 18. David Lolohea, 19. David McDuling, 20. Ned Hanigan, 21. Michael Wells, 22. Jake Gordon, 23. David Horwitz.
