The Rebels have entered voluntary administration,but their Victorian skipper Rob Leota says that will give the players more purpose this year.
The state government declined to answer whether it will pay off some of the Rebels’ debt,but confirmed they were aware the club had entered into voluntary administration.
At the end of a horror year for Rugby Australia,the financial struggles of its Super Rugby clubs have reopened a debate that only six years ago almost tore the game apart.
The Melbourne Rebels have written to players and staff to assure their jobs will be safe for next year,amid revelations the Super Rugby club is millions of dollars in debt.
After many false starts and decades of people calling for some form of centralisation of Australian rugby,it’s finally underway. Sort of.
RA’s push to centralise the game is set to take a historic step with NSW Rugby agreeing to cede control of its professional rugby arm to head office.
Three Victorian-raised players and,overall,seven Melbourne Rebels made the Australian squad for the Rugby World Cup this week.
Melbourne have continued their impressive recruitment drive by signing classy former New Zealand centre Matt Proctor.
Some proven Wallabies have had up-and-down seasons,while some young players have taken giant steps to force their way into Eddie Jones’ calculations leading up to the World Cup.
Australian teams’ record against their New Zealand counterparts has gone backwards this year while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck may have played his last game in the competition.
Confidence is growing in Australia’s Super Rugby clubs,and that’s a good sign for the Wallabies.