"Sacrifices need to be made": ARU COO Rob Clarke says Brumbies' Super Rugby success is vital

The ARU will meet with SANZAAR officials next month with the doubts surrounding the sustainability of Australia's Super Rugby - including the ACT Brumbies - clubs high on the agenda.

The Brumbies have had their fair share of financial difficulties, recording a loss of $864,093 in 2016 to follow back to back deficits of more than $1 million in each of the previous two seasons.

The prospect of the Brumbies merging with the Melbourne Rebels has been floated with calls to cut the number of Australian Super Rugby franchises from five to four.

In Clarke's tenure as Brumbies chief executive in 2003-05, the ACT franchise explored the Melbourne market for commercial benefits.

But he says Australia's most successful Super Rugby club is now entrenched in the nation's capital and the Brumbies "represent a great rugby heartland".

"I know that under Michael Thomson's leadership and the board's leadership, there's a lot of effort going in to make sure that the Brumbies are financially sustainable," Clarke said.

"Certainly their performance on the field under Stephen Larkham can't be questioned. If those two things come together they should secure a good future.

"...You don't axe or walk away from a successful product. It's our collective challenge in Australian rugby to make sure our products are successful.

"If the Brumbies keep doing that along with the other Super Rugby clubs and the Wallabies continue to be successful, then we should have a healthy future."

The ARU work in a joint venture with New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina's rugby bodies, meaning they have to come up with a solution that works for more than just Australia's future.

"Ultimately it's not going to be a perfect fit for everybody, and there'll be some sacrifices that need to be made," Clarke said.

"Exactly what they are and how that plays out won't be known right now but will become clear in the coming weeks."