© Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

The Australian Rugby Union has unveiled its new television deal for the next five years, a figure that will ease the financial pressure on the once struggling code.

The $(A)285 million deal comes on the back of the Wallabies' run to the Rugby World Cup final and represents a 148% increase on its total SANZAAR package from five years ago.

Pay television provider Fox Sports will continue to broadcast all Super Rugby and Wallabies matches while on-selling the rights to Test matches to Network 10. The free-to-air station will also replay one Australian Super Rugby match per week on a Sunday morning.

Michael Cheika has helped reinvigorate the Wallabies brand © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

News: Rugby World Cup 2015 most competitive yet: report

News: Wallabies confirm 10th Grand Slam tour of Britain and Europe

News: David Pocock committed to Australia for at least another season -- manager

The deal was boosted by increased interest and the emergence of new television players in the United Kingdom while the strong US dollar - the currency in which the rights are sold - also helped inflate the final figure.

"With these new media rights arrangements in place the ARU will have surplus funds to re-invest in the game from grassroots through to the Wallabies and to address strategic priorities to grow the game including community Rugby, women's Rugby and our development pathways," ARU chief executive Bill Pulver said.

"Early in 2016 we will announce a new five-year whole of game strategy for Australian Rugby that aligns with our media rights cycle and sets the direction and vision for the game of Rugby in Australia. Importantly, the Australian Rugby Strategic Plan has been built collaboratively by the Rugby community and underpins our plans for future investment in the game.

"We have also taken steps to improve the governance in our game through the execution of a National Charter, which has been supported by the formation of the Australian Rugby Strategy Group, consisting of CEOs from across Australian Rugby, which will oversee the delivery of the Strategic Plan.

"We will also provide greater assistance to our Super Rugby clubs and member unions and will establish a future fund for the game which will ensure its long-term health and prosperity."

Australia were anything but disgraced in a gripping RWC final © Getty Images

Enlarge

Along with its Super Rugby and Test stable, Fox Sports will also continue to broadcast the National Rugby Championship, New Zealand's Mitre 10 Cup and South Africa's Currie Cup. The Pay TV provider will also show the 2017 British & Irish Lions Tour of New Zealand.

Rugby Union Players Association chief executive Ross Xenos said the new deal reflected the global appeal of the Wallabies and Super Rugby.

"Australia's professional rugby players welcome a new, landmark broadcast deal for the game and congratulate the ARU on successfully concluding these record-breaking broadcast negotiations which will benefit all of Australian rugby's stakeholders.

"The growth of this new broadcast deal recognises the international appeal of Super Rugby and the Wallabies. All Australian professional rugby players should feel enormously proud of the contribution that their dedication, hard work and subsequent performances have added to Australian Rugby and the commercial success of this deal.

"Australian rugby has endured significant financial challenges in recent years, but we believe that today's announcement marks the changing of rugby's rhetoric from what we don't have, to making the most of what we do have.

"The injection of considerably more broadcast revenue, along with improved exposure on free to air television, provides the opportunity to financially stabilise and reinvigorate all aspects of the game in Australia. It also provides the means to improve the positioning of rugby within the domestic and international sporting marketplaces and particularly as a sport of choice for all aspiring athletes."