ARU boss tells Brumbies fans not to worry

Australian Rugby Union boss Bill Pulver has reassured Brumbies fans there’s nothing to worry about despite the drama surrounding the Super Rugby club’s chief executive.

Michael Jones will return to court in Canberra on Tuesday, a week after being stood down by the Brumbies board following a fiery radio interview.

He was back at work last Wednesday after winning a temporary injuction.

The saga has rocked the ACT outfit, but Pulver – who flew to the nation’s capital this week at the request of chairman Robert Kennedy – says the Brumbies’ future is secure.

“I’d like to make certain to the Brumbies fans that their wonderful rugby franchise is not in any jeopardy at all,” he told ABC Grandstand on Saturday.

“The latest financial forecasts that I’ve seen from the Brumbies suggest they’ve got a solid year ahead of them, and look, if there were any issues that created instability, the ARU would step in and provide support.

“There’s basically nothing to worry about if you’re a Brumbies fan.”

Pulver stopped short of saying he had full confidence in the board, but he was “very comfortable” with them and the position Kennedy was taking.

There have been suggestions the Brumbies chose to stand down and not sack Jones because they could not afford to pay out the remainder of his contract.

While Pulver said wouldn’t comment on the issue, he said he was comfortable with the Brumbies’ financial situation and they were capable of fulfilling their financial obligations.

“The Brumbies are a very, very stable enterprise. It’s an outstanding brand, the team is performing well,” he said.

“The time you worry is if the team is not performing well and those variable revenues that come from game attendance and the like has become in jeopardy.

“The Brumbies are doing really well in the paddock, so there’s every reason to believe the Canberra fans will support them, and that stabilises their revenues.”

The Brumbies, who are Australian conference leaders, and are in South Africa and play the Cheetahs on Sunday.

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