Heavy-hitters would like to lure Melbourne Rebels to Western Sydney, Greg Growden reports © Image Supplied: Melbourne Rebels

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The Waratahs have locked themselves into Allianz Stadium from next year, but this doesn't necessarily mean that Western Sydney will no longer have a Super Rugby presence. The area that has cultivated countless notable footballers of all codes could instead even become the home of one of the other Australian franchises if the audacious plan of several corporate 'heavy-hitters' comes to fruition; they believe Homebush Bay should boast its own team.

The Waratahs' decision to sign up with the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust after changing their mind over a lucrative deal from Stadium Australia Operations, which operates ANZ Stadium, has deeply irritated many out west as the arrangement involved playing several games a year at the Olympic venue. Several companies situated at the Homebush Bay complex are now looking at the possibility through private ownership of either relocating another Australian Super Rugby team, or having them play some matches at ANZ Stadium each season.

There is one obvious target: the cash-strapped Melbourne Rebels, who in recent years have been propped up by the Australian Rugby Union. With ARU officials constantly complaining the union is 'broke', it wouldn't take much to convince the board of the value of a full or partial Rebels relocation, as it would drastically ease the national body's financial burden. Also the Homebush Bay corporate interests have discovered that getting involved with the Rebels would be considerably cheaper than linking with the Waratahs. The Rebels, who have a solid Melbourne following, have not been idle either; they have been making public plans to quadruple their membership in order to become financially independent of the ARU.

Wallabies backs told to 'give birth to a new galloping era'

In a Rugby World Cup year, it is pleasing that morale within the national team has improved dramatically despite the Wallabies' less-than-successful end-of-season tour. A Wallabies insider has told Ruck'n Maul that new coach Michael Cheika "has smashed the political infighting which had in recent times seeped into the player group"; the insider said also that Cheika has stressed to the squad that any division in the ranks will ruin their World Cup campaign. The coach is said also to have been telling the backs they need "to give birth to a new galloping era".

Cheika is eager to have input from the coaching staff of all the Australian Super Rugby franchises, but Ruck'n Maul hears we should stand by for some surprises when it is revealed whom the head coach actually wants as his World Cup management team. It's understood Cheika plans to have involved at least two of his most trusted allies, one specifically in an advisory role to the national squad. The names will astound, even frighten, several people at the ARU, who are bound to protest. Some may even require counseling if Cheika succeeds with his plan to have a former high-ranking ARU official speak to the players at a dinner during the domestic season. And Cheika is not a man who can be easily convinced into changing his mind.

Are those roses or nails on the bed?

While Cheika appears keen to have Stephen Larkham and Michael Foley as part of his World Cup staff, don't be bluffed into believing that everyone at Super Rugby level is 100% behind the Waratahs/Wallabies coach. One Australian franchise head coach has been outspoken about his opposition towards Cheika having a dual role this year, while the assistant coach at another Australian team has told his players not to mention Cheika or the Wallabies. Looks can deceive.

QRU have a healthy case to drive shake-up

The Queensland Rugby Union's reporting of a $935,518 profit for the 2014 financial year has only fuelled the fire north of the border that they should be 'front and centre' of an ARU boardroom shake-up. There remains an enormous amount of anger at grassroots level over the ARU levies, while confusion reigns over the use of the Internet database, Rugby Link, to collect fees and organise accreditation. While some important groups have been overlooked on Rugby Link, many clubs have reverted to the tried-and-true method of pen and pencil to record their registrations.

Total Recall! 1997: Rewind/Revisit

The nastiest comment of the week goes to the long-time Wallabies supporter who said after watching video footage of a Belgian club team winning 356-3 last weekend that it reminded him of the defence shown during stages of Australia's record 61-22 loss to South Africa in Pretoria in 1997. Cruel!

Australia still got it

Australian Rugby still has a presence. The Telegraph in London recently printed its list of the 100 top rugby players. Eleven Wallabies past and present made the list: Quade Cooper (86), Stephen Moore (77), Kurtley Beale (73), Digby Ioane (70), Matt Toomua (61), Adam Ashley-Cooper (54), Tevita Kuridrani (32), David Pocock (29), Matt Giteau (16), Michael Hooper (11), Israel Folau (6).

Whispers of the Week

- Who is the struggling NSW official known as 'Neville Chamberlain'? Peace in our time? I don't think so!!

- Also at Moore Park, we hear that one ever-obstructive Waratahs head office type, in anticipation of the ARU moving in, has begun making demands over office size and layouts. This has led to him being nicknamed 'The Block", which is surprising considering he is about to be moved on. Or has it already happened? Was he really told to work elsewhere?

- A prime reason why a high-profile Wallabies player has hooked himself up to an overseas club is due to selectors telling him he was on current form at best only a '50-50' chance of making the Rugby World Cup squad.