Western Force coach Tim Sampson says his club's journey under private ownership could be an example as Australian rugby teams look for ways to shore up their long-term sustainability.
Brumbies chairman Matthew Nobbs said earlier this week that private equity was an option that the organisation
The Force have operated under private ownership since being axed from Super Rugby in 2017 and bought by billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest.
While they have only been using that model for three years, Sampson said the option shouldn't be dismissed in a turbulent time in rugby.
"It can't be ignored," he said.
"Someone like Andrew and Nicola, we're blessed to have them as our financial benefactors and I think it is a great example," he said.
"It shows in our performance when we are in a position in a national competition like NRC last year, to have a professional program in WA support of Andrew and Nicola I think it is a good example of how it can work and how it can be successful."
Rugby Australia has recently welcomed private equity veteran Peter Wiggs onto its board and the Archer Capital co-founder is leading the
While there is no suggestion that private equity is being seriously considered by Rugby Australia, there has been suggestions that the COVID-19 pandemic could provide the impetus for
Private equity is certainly not entirely foreign in rugby.
It's a model used by competitions in Europe and the USA and Europe's showpiece tournament the Six Nations has been looking into a private equity deal for the competition with corporation CVC.
On the field, the coming months could be a chance for the Force to prove itself against Australia's Super Rugby teams should a domestic Super Rugby competition get off the ground in the coming months.
They are expected to be included in a domestic Super Rugby replacement, though, with organisers hoping for a July return to competition.
Sampson said the opportunity to play in that competition would be a welcome one for the Force.
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"I think playing any rugby in the situation we're currently in we would jump at and if it is in a domestic competition playing against Super Rugby clubs, there'd be a lot of excitement around Perth and Western Australia.
"Just for our guys to be playing footy it is pretty important."
Sampson said it could also go a long way to repairing some of the scars that still exist from their Super Rugby axing.
"I think time heals pain doesn't it and I think there is obviously a lot of disgruntled people because of what happened at the back end of 2017," he said.
"I think Andrew and Matt Hodgson and his staff they've had a lot of communication with Rugby Australia not only the last couple of months last year I hope that continues.
"We just want to we're craving some positive news within Australian rugby and this could be one step closer to providing a lot of people the opportunity to sthe western force play in different competitins. Relatoinship's ticking along
With the format of Super Rugby heading into 2021 still not entirely clear amid global travel restrictions, there could be the opportunity for the Force to be part of a reformed competition.
Australia's players and a number of stakeholders have pushed for a trans-Tasman competition going forward, though whether that could happen remains to be seen.
Sampson said he felt Rapid Rugby, which was cancelled after just one round this season because of the pandemic, was worth pursuing
"Rapid Rugby was evolving, the signs this year was very promising certainly," he said.
"It improved this year with a couple of new teams this year who were looking really strong and it's evolving - the interest world wide has grown over the last 8-10 months there throughout the world and people have shown a lot of interest in connecting with it.
"Rapid Rugby was in a really good space so I hope it continues."
