The Sanzaar saga is set to drag on through Easter - and possibly beyond - after the Australian Rugby Union offered the Rebels and Force more time to state their case for Super Rugby survival beyond this season.
ARU chairman Cameron Clyne says the governing body's initial plan to decide which franchise will be cut from the competition by tomorrow had been scrapped.
Given it's then Good Friday and a public holiday long weekend, players, staff, their families and fans of the Rebels and Force are almost certain to be left on tenterhooks until at least next Tuesday before the ARU hands down its decision. With Sanzaar first forecasting three franchises - two from South Africa and one from Australia - being removed as part of a restructure to a 15-team competition format in 2018 some seven weeks ago, the delay is becoming almost unbearable for the Rebels and Force.
"It's just been going on for so long. It's definitely frustrating. You'd like to get an answer and be able to move on ... for whatever organisation ends up getting the flick," Rebels captain Nic Stirzaker said yesterday.
But with Rugby WA issuing a writ against the ARU on behalf of the Force and the Rebels also considering their legal options following Monday's confirmation they were the two Australian clubs in the firing line, a further delay was almost inevitable.