Rugby Australia to take control of Brumbies
By Tom Decent
Brumbies chief executive Phil Thomson and chairman Matt Nobbs say Rugby Australia’s ability to win back trust went a long way to locking in a new partnership agreement between the franchise and the governing body.
The Brumbies have followed the Waratahs’ lead by signing a partnership agreement with RA that will lead to greater alignment between the country’s most successful Super Rugby franchise and the national governing body.
The Brumbies, one of Super Rugby’s inaugural teams in 1996, have agreed to transfer operational control to RA in a significant move for Australian rugby.
“We do know that high-performance success leads to better economics for the game, and we strongly believe that high-performance alignment and integration will lead to high-performance success,” RA chief executive Phil Waugh said. “I’ve always said this is not going to be a fast fix here with the Australian rugby system.”
RA’s push for overall centralisation is gaining momentum, with the Brumbies the second franchise after the Waratahs to align with the national union.
Melbourne Rebels have been wound up, and Queensland Reds and Western Force remain independent of RA. In November, NSW Rugby agreed to cede control of the Waratahs and its professional rugby business to RA.
Len Ikitau on the charge for the Brumbies last month.Credit: Getty Images
The Brumbies’ financial position has been under the microscope for months and the Canberra-based franchise previously pushed back on an agreement with RA.
In November, six member unions, including ACT Rugby, called for the resignation of RA chairman Hamish McLennan after a tumultuous World Cup and period of unrest. McLennan ultimately resigned and was replaced by former Wallaby Dan Herbert.
The Brumbies were reluctant to enter an agreement with RA but that relationship, described as “a little bit frosty”, appears to have been mended.
“There’s a lot more trust and collaboration,” Thomson said. “We probably took a few deep breaths. It’s no secret that it’s been a challenging landscape. The mood’s pretty good. We’ve been working with Rugby Australia for a while on this. We’ve been exploring a number of options. We’re comfortable with the position we’re in now.
Nobbs added: “RA has worked really hard in trying to claw back trust and transparency”.
The Brumbies fought to remain in Canberra and have been given assurances by RA they will not be moved. They were the only Australian team to make a Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals this season, losing to the Blues.
In a statement, RA said: “This transition will fully integrate and align the Brumbies’ professional rugby operations across high-performance (players, coaches, support staff) and commercial operations (sponsorship, marketing, membership, ticketing) with RA’s high-performance and commercial operations, effective from August 1, 2024.
“While this integration aims to streamline operations and enhance overall performance, it will also allow for local delivery and maintain the proud history of the ACT Brumbies, and ensure that the ACT Brumbies teams remain in the national capital, connected to Canberra and the surrounding region, club members, sponsors and key stakeholders.”
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