Crunch time: For the ARU the numbers simply didn't add up [GALLO/GETTY]Australia has dropped its flagship domestic rugby competition, the Australian Rugby Championship, after a single season in which the tournament lost more than $3.4 million.
A review of the ARC showed the series had exceeded the Australian Rugby Union's budgeted investment by more than $1.7 million and was forecast to lose a further $2.9 million next season.
The ARU said sustaining a total loss of $6.8 million in just over two season would be fiscally irresponsible.
"Strong leadership is paramount to the success of our game and, to that end, there are times when tough decisions need to be taken," ARU deputy chief executive Matt Carroll said.
"Continuing with the ARC was considered by the (ARU) board to be an untenable financial risk for the ARU and rugby as a whole."