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The decision on which Super Rugby franchise will be axed from the competition could come to a head within a week, after the Australian Rugby Union agreed to expedite a meeting to discuss the issue.
The announcement followed moves by the Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA) and the Victorian Rugby Union to call for a special general meeting of the ARU board.
Late on Wednesday, the ARU released a statement, with chairman Cameron Clyne acknowledging the requests.
"We must provide 21 days notice to voting members to convene a general meeting, however in order to prevent further delays the Board is willing to meet with the major stakeholders within a shorter time-frame to detail as much information as we are able on the current process regarding Super Rugby," Clyne said.
"We will aim to hold this meeting within the next seven days."
Earlier on Wednesday, RUPA said its board had voted unanimously for a meeting to be held as soon as practicable to seek a "transparent, comprehensive update" on the ARU's plans.
The Melbourne Rebels on Tuesday had demanded that RUPA step up and do more for its players, with this resolution coming after the two groups met in Melbourne late in the day.
RUPA's support of the VRU came after months of speculation following the ARU's announcement that either the Rebels or Western Force would be cut from the Super Rugby competition ahead of the rationalised 2018 format.
"The ARU's intent to axe an Australian Super Rugby team has lacked transparency and consultation with key stakeholders," RUPA chief executive Ross Xenos said in a statement.
"The ongoing uncertainty and secrecy of this process continues to do unprecedented damage to the reputation of the game and has placed unacceptable distress on players and their families."
RUPA said the ARU needed to focus on fighting its real enemies if there was no justifiable cost-saving in cutting a team.
"It's about time we stopped uppercutting ourselves, backed the retention of five Super Rugby teams and got on with fighting our common enemies outside the tent," Xenos said.
Xenos questioned the financial management of the ARU's rumoured plan to buy back the Rebels' licence from owner Andrew Cox, with those millions better spent on grass-roots rugby.
"Why are we cutting a team at all and limiting Australian Rugby's future if there are such discretionary funds within the game that the ARU can afford to buy a licence, only to scrunch it up and throw it away?" Xenos asked.
ABC/AAP
Topics: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, melbourne-3000, vic, perth-6000, wa, australia