There are no financial alarm bells ringing in Australian rugby despite the global credit crunch, with Australia set to renew its push for a fifth Super rugby franchise at an important meeting in Dubai tomorrow.
A new broadcasting deal for the SANZAR nations has yet to be finalised, with proposals for the future having to be hammered out by mid-year.
The ARU boss John O'Neill is adamant the country can support a fifth Super team despite the gloomy economic situation and stresses there are no fears about the four existing franchises.
He acknowledges the Western Force is experiencing "growing pains" but reiterates the ARU won't allow the Perth-based franchise to fail.
