Contents of ARU legal advice

Below is the document Andrew Forrest claims was sent to the ARU board from the ARU management on February 24.

SUPER RUGBY TERMINATION RIGHTS

BRUMBIES

Legal risk: High

Unless circumstances change, ARU would need to negotiate an agreed termination of the Participation Deed with the Brumbies.

If a negotiated exit is not achievable, an attempt by ARU to terminate the Brumbies Participation Deed without cause would constitute an unlawful termination.

REBELS

Legal risk: High

Unless circumstances change, ARU would need to negotiate an agreed termination of the Participation Deed with the Rebels.

If a negotiated exit is not achievable, an attempt by ARU to terminate the Rebels Participation Deed without cause would constitute an unlawful termination.

FORCE

Legal risk: Low

There is no legal obligation to retain the Western Force in the Super Rugby competition following a renegotiation of the broadcast contracts.

If the broadcast contracts are renegotiated with effect from the end of the 2017 Super Rugby season, the Alliance Agreement will automatically terminate at the end of the 2017 season, and the obligation on ARU to maintain the Western Force as a Super Rugby team in Perth will lapse at that point.