Thought of cutting ground-breaking Brumbies from Super Rugby is absurd, Jim Tucker writes

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• March 16th 2017
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This image speaks for itself. Picture: John Feder

IT is ludicrous that the ACT Brumbies have been dragged into the numbing chatter about Super Rugby’s chop-and-change for a better future.

If the Brumbies’ place at the table is in question, the whole Super Rugby competition should be shut down.

The Brumbies are poster boys for what made Super 12 an enviable success story.

They were the start-up club that reached a final in only their second year in 1997, an instant credibility that none of the six largely lame duck additions since have come close to matching.

Joe Roff holds up the Super Rugby trophy in 2001.Source:News Corp Australia

The Brumbies have won two titles, set trends with their playing style, been the launching pad for Test coaches and moulded more than 50 players for the Wallabies.

They are safer in Super Rugby than the boffins at the SANZAAR boardroom table muddling over the competition’s format revision.

LARKHAM: ‘the Brumbies will never leave Canberra’

Can someone please explain why an 18-team format that was junk well before last year’s final in August is only now undergoing surgery that detracts from the opening month of the season?

The Brumbies had to deal with a costly divorce from their chief executive last year and are battling crowd issues but Canberra-NSW Country is a heartland rugby region.

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The idea of the Brumbies merging with the Melbourne Rebels is an absurdity but such are the shadows that the gullible are jumping at during this nervous time in Australian rugby.

“The Brumbies will only ever play out of Canberra,” coach Steve Larkham said yesterday.

“Our mindset is we are going to be here next year. We have been the most successful club in Australian rugby, our books are good and the squad is strong.’’

Larkham should not have had to defend his club’s existence. What is needed right now is a classic derby in Sydney tomorrow night to shed the negative tones in Australian rugby.

This image speaks for itself. Picture: John FederSource:News Corp Australia

Rarely has a NSW Waratahs-Brumbies clash carried so much meaning because an intense, skilful spectacle must put the spotlight on quality rugby again.

Michael Hooper, Sekope Kepu and Nick Phipps should all be saluted for reaching 100 Super Rugby games.

Those who wake up with nightmares about Super Rugby’s future will only have it reinforced if they watch the duds from the Southern Kings playing at 3.30am on Sunday.

Originally published as Cut the Brumbies? You’re horsing around