ACT Brumbies chairman Robert Kennedy says it's time for the Canberra rugby community to power into the future and prove to the ARU and SANZAAR they would be "mad to run a competition without the Brumbies in it".
Kennedy's impassioned plea to Brumbies supporters comes after the club appointed Michael Thomson as its new chief executive on Thursday.
Kennedy and Thomson are united in a vision for the Brumbies to win back supporters in the capital after a year of off-field drama, highlighted by a legal battle between former boss Michael Jones and the board.
There has been speculation the Brumbies were facing the Super Rugby axe as SANZAAR contemplated a major competition shake up and cutting the number of teams.
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Officials have delayed a decision on Super Rugby's future format, but Kennedy and Thomson declared: "Now is not the time to be complacent."
THOMSON'S DECISION TO RETURN
Thomson rejoins the Brumbies after leaving the organisation in 2011 and is determined to re-engage with the Canberra community.
Thomson will start at the Brumbies on January 24 after finishing his tenure as an executive at the Australian Sports Commission.
"I was happy at the [ASC], but this was one of those opportunities where I'm passionate about the region and the sport," Thomson said.
"The Brumbies represent far more than a footy team. There's an opportunity for the Brumbies to be something all of Canberra and southern NSW is proud of.
"We'll be a stable organisation, we'll be an organisation you can be proud of. Stick with us and come along for the ride."
Phil Thomson will continue to serve as interim chief executive over the coming weeks before returning to his role in the ARU integrity unit.
FUTURE OF THE BRUMBIES
The Brumbies will report an operating loss at their annual general meeting in December, despite projections of a $1 million profit.
There were fears the Super Rugby axe was hovering over the Brumbies, with the ARU to step in and take control of the organisation.
Thomson said the club needed to work with the ARU rather than be fearful of a takeover while Kennedy said it was time for supporters to stand up.
"I think we've got a fantastic platform. If there's one message for the rugby community it's that being complacent is the worst thing we could do right now," Kennedy said.
"We need people to sign up as members and turn up to games so we can prove to the world exactly what this organisation is about.
"SANZAAR is looking at the structure so we have to control the things we can and that's to demonstrate we have one of the world's best rugby teams here.
"We need to demonstrate to the ARU, SANZAAR and anyone else in the world that you'd be mad to run a competition without the Brumbies in it.
"We can't be complacent, we need the whole organisation and community to rally."
Thomson added: "Is there a risk? Yes, but there's also reward. I can help shape an organisation and get to a position where the challenges are met and overcome.
"I don't think the ARU wants to get rid of the Brumbies, that's not the impression I get. Over the history of the Brumbies, we've never put our hand out for money.
"But [the ARU] wants to see a sustainable organisation and I wouldn't be here if I didn't think we could be sustainable and grow."
WINNING BACK CANBERRA
There was deep division in the rugby community this year as the Brumbies board and Jones went to war.
The source of the angst was a KPMG report into transactions at the club and the Brumbies' relationship with former major sponsor the University of Canberra was strained.
Kennedy said the relationship with the university had been mended and the organisations were now working together to build a supporter group of students.
"We've got a number of key planks in place now, there's no fractures," Kennedy said.
"We're moving forward and starting fresh. We're confident in our financial future and now with Michael Thomson as the chief executive, he will fill the culture and values of the Brumbies."
Thomson was the Brumbies' general manager in 2011 when the sale of the Griffith land was completed.
"I saw nothing untoward in terms of the sale and I wasn't involved with the move to UC so I don't really know about that," Thomson said.
"The authorities are looking into it and I think it's appropriate we let that run its course. I'd like to think that's in the past and part of my role is to move the organisation forward.
"We need some stability, we need some calmness and be out there doing some of the positive things."
FINDING A NEW COACH
The Wallabies have lured Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham full-time from after the 2017 Super Rugby season. Photo: Graham Tidy
Stephen Larkham will end his Brumbies tenure next year and Thomson is keen to include the World Cup-winner in the process to find his replacement.
Larkham will join the Wallabies as a full-time assistant and he has given the Brumbies 12 months notice of his Super Rugby departure.
One option is to appoint a coach before the end of Larkham's time in charge and have a handover period.
"[Finding a coach] will be one of the key priorities because there's only a small window if you're looking at Europe. A lot of it is to do with timing," Thomson said.
"We have to get that appointment right and I'm very keen for us to do some strategic planning, involve Stephen and past players or whoever we need."
REPLACING BIG NAME PLAYERS
Sabbatical: David Pocock won't play for the Brumbies next season. Photo: Brendon Thorne
Some of Australian rugby's biggest names left the Brumbies at the end of the 2016 campaign, including Stephen Moore, David Pocock and Matt Toomua.
Christian Lealiifano is in Melbourne being treated for leukaemia and is unlikely to play next season.
The absence of some big names has opened the door for some unknown players to step up and Thomson believes the squad has the ability to rise into the finals again.
The Brumbies are yet to settle on a flyhalf replacement for Lealiifano and Toomua, but former Brumbies captain Matt Giteau could emerge as a contender if a deal can be struck between the parties.
"We did lose some experienced players and that changes the dynamic of the team. But we've got 13 Wallabies still and an Argentinian international, so we've got the core there," Thomson said.
"Perhaps it's going back to the days when the young guys got a break and came through. There's a whole lot of good, young players coming through."
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