[2][5] In June 1976 the ARFU announced the suspension of funding to the Wallaby Trophy competition due to financial difficulties.

The NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds continued to play annual interstate games, sometimes referred to as State of the Union matches.

Limited resources outside the rugby strongholds of Sydney and Brisbane had curtailed options for expansion in Australia until the ACT Brumbies team was formed to join the Super 12 competition in 1996.

[6][7][8] In 2006, the Australian Provincial Championship was formed, with the Western Force joining the Waratahs, Brumbies and Reds after the Super 14 tournament to compete for the Bob Templeton trophy.

[1] The four teams were as strong as possible, but without their respective Wallabies due to the South African leg of the 2006 Tri Nations Series.