ARU slammed for culling Super Rugby teamPAUL KANE/GETTY IMAGES Force spectators show their support after victory over the Kings. Players' union boss Ross Xenos says the "short-sighted" decision to cull an Australian Super Rugby team will limit the growth of the game in this country for generations. Xenos did not mince words as he slammed the announcement that Super Rugby will lose one team from Australia and two from South Africa to revert to a 15-team, three conference format. "Australia's professional rugby players are incredibly frustrated and deeply disappointed by today's confirmation that the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has voted to axe an Australian team from Super Rugby in 2018 and beyond," said the RUPA CEO. * SA, Australia to lose Super teams* Super Rugby format changes so widely forecast they're underwhelming* Force edge Kings in 12-try thriller* Countdown starts for Super cuts* Super Rugby's future on a knife-edge"Despite receiving A$30 million of additional annual broadcast revenue from 2016, the financial challenges of Australian rugby will likely be used to justify today's short-sighted and ill-conceived decision which will limit the growth of rugby in Australia for generations to come.

Source: Stuff April 09, 2017 09:03 UTC