Australia's professional rugby players may go on strike early next year if one of their Super Rugby teams is axed.

Sanzaar is set to reduce the number of teams in Super Rugby from 18 to 15, with two teams from South Africa (the Kings and Cheetahs) and one from Australia (either the Force, Rebels or Brumbies) facing the chop.

According to Fairfax Media, Australia's Rugby Union Players' Association (Rupa) is considering pre-season strike action if one of the country's five Super Rugby teams is cut.

A Rupa spokesperson told AFP on Friday that it had no comment on 'the suggestion of strike action', adding that a current collective bargaining agreement precluded any industrial action for the rest of the year.

'The provisions of the CBA, which is in effect until 31 December, prevent any industrial action of this nature occurring,' the spokesman said.

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