But the Vikings say they don't want to ostracise clubs, urging fans to ''put old rivalries on hold'' to create a pathway for the best players in Canberra.

Brumbies officials say a Canberra team wouldn't be in the Australian Rugby Union's new competition without the Vikings' financial support.

The ARU launched the NRC this week and the Brumbies have teamed up in a three-way joint venture with the Vikings Group and the University of Canberra to fund the $350,000 team.

But the team's name and colours have been a hot topic in the capital, with some fans calling for the Canberra rugby tradition of the Kookaburra's blue, white and gold instead of the Vikings' red and white.

Playing as the Vikings in red and white was part of the negotiation process, and officials will meet on Monday to discuss how the financial burden is split and a logo.

The Tuggeranong Vikings are the richest club in the Canberra competition and their powerhouse status divides the club rugby community.

''This is the best result for ACT rugby,'' said Brumbies general manager Simon Chester. ''It's essentially an ACT team. If the Vikings weren't involved, it could have sent us [the Brumbies] broke. The reality is that the Vikings have done ACT rugby a big favour.''

Home games will be played at Viking Park because Canberra Stadium is too expensive to hire and the new Gungahlin ground doesn't have the infrastructure.

Gungahlin lower-grade player Mark Dawes has called on officials to let the NRC team wear a neutral jersey instead of red and white, to garner Canberra support.

Dawes has been playing for Gungahlin for 15 years and started the petition on Thursday to change the team colours, with almost 200 fans signing a letter to the Brumbies.

''A lot of people are saying they wouldn't be caught dead wearing red and white. The Vikings need credit, they are the financial backers,'' Dawes said. ''But they get the logo, the name and the venue. Surely it makes sense to try to include everyone and stop other clubs from feeling alienated.

''People will still follow them if they're in red and white, but not as passionately. I don't think it's too much for a neutral jersey. There would be a lot more support if it was a neutral jersey in the ACT colours.''

The Vikings Group was a major backer of the Canberra Kookaburras from 1995-97 – a move many credit with the start of the Brumbies in Super Rugby.

The Vikings supported teams in the Australian Rugby Championship in 2007 and in the Sydney and Brisbane competitions. They also proposed that other Canberra clubs have representation on the NRC team's board.

''We're excited about the proposal and the pathway of the collection of Canberra's best players; it's not about Tuggeranong's players,'' said Vikings rugby president Geoff Adam.

''We're not in this for selfish reasons. We're disappointed with the negativity coming from some quarters. If we weren't in the venture, it may not have gone ahead.

''The Tuggeranong Vikings aren't a pathway to the Canberra Vikings. If we are putting in the funds, our members want to see some recognition for that [with colours and the name].

''We shouldn't be penalised because people don't like the Vikings. We're not trying to ostracise other clubs, we do what we can for the good of Canberra rugby.''

The Brumbies joined with the Vikings Group and the university to reduce the financial risk. The Vikings Group also sponsors the Brumbies.

The Brumbies will employ staff – including coach Dan McKellar, who is a Brumbies assistant coach – and are searching for $200,000 in sponsorship.

In the past, some feared having a representative team linked to the Vikings would make it a breeding ground for Tuggeranong. But the bulk of the NRC team will be made up of Brumbies-contracted players, with McKellar, Stephen Larkham and Laurie Fisher picking the best players from around the Canberra competition to join them.

Staunch club rugby supporters declared they would not switch allegiances to back the Vikings team, nor would they buy merchandise if the team was red and white.

One of the major perceived reasons is the north-south divide in Canberra, and Tuggeranong's powerhouse status in the capital's premier competition – the John I Dent Cup.

Tuggeranong has won the past three first-grade premierships and is the only Canberra team with its own licensed club.