The ACT Brumbies hope the end of an ugly Israel Folau saga can be a trigger for change in Australian rugby as the club attempts to re-engage with fans who have been lost to the game.
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Folau and Rugby Australia agreed to a confidential settlement on Wednesday, ending their legal battle with written apologies to each other.
Folau was sacked earlier this year after posting homophobic comments on social media for the second time in 12 months.
Rugby's former pin-up boy said he felt "vindicated" by the settlement, despite initially seeking $14 million in compensation from his employer.
A spokesman for Folau said he would not make any immediate comment about his sporting future, but Rugby Australia said the 30-year-old wouldn't be playing rugby in Australia again under the current administration.
Super Rugby franchises have struggled to gain any traction with supporters in recent years, some of their own doing but also hindered by decisions made by others.
But Folau's exit, the departure of coach Michael Cheika and the impending resignation of chairman Cameron Clyne will give rugby the fresh start it desperately needs.
The Brumbies want to overhaul their game-day experience in 2020 and connect with fans who have become disillusioned with the sport.
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Chief executive Phil Thomson said the end of Folau's legal proceedings would give people a chance to focus on rugby rather than the sideshow.
"The Israel Folau issue has been ongoing and hanging over Rugby Australia's head, it's good both parties have reached a settlement. Hopefully now we can focus on the positive stories in rugby," Thomson said.
"It's a fresh start. We didn't need to be speaking about Israel Folau and the issues at the start of the Super Rugby season next year.
"This is the start of a new era. From a Brumbies point of view, we've got some new talent coming through after player turnover and we're positive about the quality of our squad for next year."
The eight-month distraction dragged on during the Super Rugby campaign and into the Wallabies' World Cup.
The Brumbies, and other Super Rugby teams, distanced themselves from the Folau issue and grew frustrated when the try-scoring ace continued to dominate headlines.
Crowds in Canberra dropped to near record-low averages last season, prompting a wide-ranging Brumbies review of how to lure supporters back to the stands.
"We want to get the connectivity back," Thomson said.
"We're still working on our connection with the community. We're focused on engagement and we're working hard on how we can do it better."