One of the Highlanders' co-owners is involved in trying to save the Western Force franchise. Either the Force or the Rebels is set to be axed by the Australian Rugby Union as the Super Rugby competition gets slimed down to 15 teams next year. We're just asking for assets that we will turn around and invest into the Western Force,'' Burke said. ''I guarantee that if they give us the support, the Force will win a premiership in five years, like the Highlanders did.'' Flowers, who was running Australian rugby when the Force were introduced to Super Rugby in 2005, said it was imperative to see it remain in a rejigged 15-team tournament from next year.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 18, 2017 18:00 UTC