Australia Rugby Union has rejected the Brumbies‑Rebels Super Rugby merger proposal.
The Australian Rugby Union is holding firm on safeguarding the Brumbies amid calls to merge the club with Melbourne Rebels as part of a Super Rugby downsizing.
Rebels boss Andrew Cox has welcomed discussion of the idea, raised by former Wallabies coach John Connolly who has backed the vulnerable Western Force to remain in the competition.
But an ARU spokesman said there had been no change in its position that the Brumbies were excluded from discussions around axing an Australian team.
Both the Rebels and Force have insisted the ARU has no legal right to remove them following governing body SANZAAR's decision to reduce Super Rugby by three teams, including two from South Africa.
Meanwhile the Brumbies will take on the Blues at 6.05pm Sunday.
Source: TVNZ
