Canberra Vikings coach Dan McKellar has called on critics of the capital's team in the new National Rugby Championships to back a "genuine representative team", insisting there will be no bias towards the Tuggeranong Vikings.
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The reforming of the Canberra Vikings continues to cause some division among club rugby ranks, with some fearing the decision to wear red and white alienates ACT rugby history.
Queanbeyan president David Jones said the links to the Vikings and Tuggeranong is "not right" and the joint NRC venture had been "boxed into a corner" on a decision on team colours because of financial constraints.
The Canberra Vikings are funded by a three-way $350,000 partnership between the Vikings Group, the ACT Brumbies and the University of Canberra and will play in the inaugural season.
The playing strip is set to be launched in the coming weeks while the playing roster will be made up of Brumbies and potentially 15 of Canberra's club rugby best.
McKellar, who is also a Brumbies assistant coach, moved to stop the division and wants Canberra clubs to join forces on and off the field to strengthen the Vikings.
"Of course I want everyone to come together, it's a genuine representative team of Canberra and the ACT," McKellar said.
"That's how I see it. In terms of selection it comes down to performance in the John I Dent Cup, we'll get a squad together and it's all about performance.
"There will certainly be no bias, it's great that the Vikings are a sponsor but there is definitely no bias."
Jones has voiced his concerns at meetings of club presidents. There is a view the team should play in traditional ACT colours of gold, white and blue.
Jones conceded the Vikings deserved significant recognition for their financial contribution.
The Vikings Group has supported rugby in Canberra for decades and invested in the Canberra Vikings for the defunct Australian Rugby Championship in 2007.
"I think they've been boxed into a corner and the Vikings have put the money up, they're entitled to say they want their colours," Jones said.
"I'm flogging a dead horse. No one is strong enough to stand up.
"We're down on sponsorship this year, things are so tight. We'd love to throw in some money from Queanbeyan but we'll be flat out making ends meet ourselves this year. It's a sign of the times.
"My biggest concern is that guys coming to Canberra to play rugby will automatically join the Vikings because they'll see the link for the NRC and the chance to open doors. It's going to get harder for other clubs."
Canberra clubs will have representation on the Canberra Vikings board and the Brumbies are adamant the team will not be stacked with Tuggeranong players.
The Brumbies are starting a "clubs academy" for the best first grade players in Canberra in preparation of injecting them into the NRC in August. The nine-team competition will be played over 11 weeks.
