Brumbies start 'active rest' as bosses reach out for fan forum

Rugby Australia officials are continuing to work on a plan to relaunch professional and amateur competitions in the coming months, with NSW and Queensland setting club restart dates in July.

It is hoped the professional game will follow a similar timeline, prompting Brumbies coach Dan McKellar to send his players away for a break now before ramping up training.

The Brumbies could return to training as early as the end of May given the ACT government is set to allow the Canberra Raiders to gather in large groups for their NRL preparations.

McKellar's men had trained in isolation for six weeks, ticking off individual tasks to ensure they were ready to play again whenever required. Their on-field form suggested a Brumbies were on the verge of a running rugby revival before the season came to an abrupt end on March 15.

The lack of games has put a strain on the Brumbies' finances and community engagement, but chief executive Phil Thomson and chairman Matthew Nobbs will update fans at a forum on Wednesday night.

Thomson said the club organised the video session with supporters in an attempt to maintain a connection and give fans confidence in the Brumbies' future direction.

Thomson is confident the Brumbies can survive the shutdown despite the financial pressure on the game and continue a rebuild to ensure long-term viability.

"We'll go through what we've been working on over the last five or six weeks [when we speak to fans] about how we all continue to be viable entities into the future," Thomson said.

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"We've got the key pieces of cost-saving measures in place now, which all businesses have had to do. Now it's on to the survival stage and on to getting ourselves back up and operational to remain sustainable.

"We'll give people an update around that. It was supposed to be an important year for us being the 25^th year of Super Rugby ... but we're looking forward to chatting to people online to let them know where we're at."

Rugby Australia's boardroom debacle of the past month has plunged the sport into chaos, with chief executive Raelene Castle quitting last week in the wake of constant pressure.

But Thomson and Nobbs want fans to know it's not all doom and gloom for rugby, with officials working towards an Australian competition or a trans-Tasman format to reengage with fans.

McKellar led his men to second on the overall standings when the season came to an abrupt halt on March 15, setting try-scoring records in the process.

Meanwhile, community rugby staff are set to speak with club rugby teams on Wednesday to give them an update about competition format options and potential restart dates.

Queensland and NSW competitions are hopeful of starting in July, ACT rugby officials are reluctant to rush into a kick-off date given the ever-changing nature of the coronavirus pandemic.

It is hoped a Canberra competition could run into October, but ground availability and clashes with other sports looms as a hurdle to settling on a season format.

General manager of community rugby Craig Leseberg said: "We're continuing to work with clubs and notify them of any changes when they come to light. We'll be patient until we have clarity so we can map a return to play."

ACT rugby could introduce a sevens competition if a 15-a-side season has to be shortened, while Brumbies players will filter back into the club competition when they are not required for Super Rugby or international duties.