ACT Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa is confident players can avoid broadcast-deal distractions despite Australian rugby's off-field turbulence taking another hit this week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
News Corp reported this week Fox Sports was withdrawing its bid for Super Rugby television rights beyond this year.
Rugby Australia is preparing tender documents in the hope of increasing its broadcast revenue from 2021-25, but Optus Sport appears to be the only bidder if Fox Sports withdraws.
A downturn in funds, currently worth $57 million per year to Rugby Australia, could be a crippling blow for already cash-strapped Australian teams, who are nervously watching the negotiations process.
Brumbies officials declined to comment about the state of the game or the progress of the broadcast deal on Thursday.
The Canberra club is fighting to get fans back into the stands, but has been one of the biggest viewer drawcards on Fox Sports in recent years.
The average viewer numbers for Super Rugby last week were 33,000. The Brumbies-Reds match on a 40-degree night in Canberra had 52,000 viewers, while the Waratahs-Crusaders match attracted 66,000 viewers.
Alaalatoa, who is in his first year as captain, said the players were determined to let rugby do the talking.
"If you're reading about it could be a distraction for yourself, but it really depends on the individual and how they react," Alaalatoa said.
"For myself, it's not a distraction. We're not in charge of all that stuff and you just hope that it gets sorted.
MORE BRUMBIES NEWS
"All we can do as players is to put on good performances on the field because at the end of the day, that's going to help them with what they're trying to do in the top office.
"We have to be consistent and control what we can."
Australian rugby has been plagued by sideshows for the past four years. Axing the Western Force divided supporters and the Israel Folau homophobic slur drama of the past two years took a shine off anything players were doing on the field.
The Brumbies started this season with a gritty win against the Queensland Reds and are aiming for their 10th consecutive win at home when the play the Melbourne Rebels on Friday night.
"I think, as a player, the focus is on performance. But the way of the world is that there are so many other thoughts out there," Alaalatoa said.
"We just have to put in good performances for people to come out and watch or to tune in on Fox Sports or Channel Nine, whatever it is.
"We just want more viewers to tune in and we have to be consistent to achieve that."
Alaalatoa's other job is trying to lead the Brumbies to their first win against the Rebels since 2017 and brace for a set-piece attack at Canberra Stadium.
"They have a quality side and great forward pack ... we know our set-piece is definitely going to be tested," Alaalatoa said.
"Our (scrum) is definitely a work on from last week ... it's definitely something we weren't happy with and something we're looking to rectify.
"They're going to come out hard tomorrow night but we're looking forward to the battle up front."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND TWO
Friday: ACT Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels at Canberra Stadium, 7.15pm.
Brumbies: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Faingaa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Caderyn Neville, 5. Murray Douglas, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Tom Cusack, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Solomone Kata, 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. Harry Lloyd, 18. James Slipper, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Will Miller, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Bayley Kuenzle, 23. Andy Muirhead.