The Australian Rugby Union has announced a much-needed $19.5 million surplus for 2013 but the financially-strapped body still faces some tough times ahead.
After recording combined losses upwards of $20 million over the previous two years, the ARU's chief executive Bill Pulver has done an impressive job in cutting costs across the board since taking over from John O'Neill.
A major contributor to finishing last year in the black was the British and Irish Lions tour which generated an incremental surplus of $35 million.
This year's three-Test visit by France won't generate anywhere near that kind of return, and next year the ARU is bracing itself for an even tougher 12 months, with the World Cup to eat into the domestic international season.
Chairman Michael Hawker described the last 12 months as energising for a troubled code.
