Australia will likely be left with 4 Super Rugby groups in 2025 – ACT Brumbies, Queensland Reds, Western Force and NSW Waratahs,
Rugby Australia on Thursday rejected a consortium’s bid to take over the debt-laden Melbourne Rebels and shut down the membership after 14 seasons in Super Rugby.
The team went into voluntary administration in January owing virtually Aus$23 million (R281 million) — a big portion of it tax debt.
Rugby Australia stepped in to reclaim the membership’s enjoying licence whereas paying workers wages for the 2024 season, earlier than a consortium led by former Qantas chairman Leigh Clifford put ahead a rescue plan.
But it was contingent on Rugby Australia handing again the licence, which they’ve opted to not do, saying the bid “did not demonstrate sufficient financial viability” with “significant doubts” over the funding mannequin.
“Since the Rebels’ inaugural year in 2011, MRRU (Melbourne Rebels Rugby Union Pty Ltd) has not been independently financially sustainable despite significant additional investment by RA over and above committed club grants,” Rugby Australia mentioned in an announcement.
“There is nothing in the consortium’s proposal which demonstrates with sufficient certainty that this will change.”
First playoff marketing campaign
The Rebels, at present seventh within the 12-team desk, are getting ready for his or her first playoff marketing campaign since becoming a member of Super Rugby in 2011.
They play Fijian Drua away on Saturday forward of a quarter-final the next weekend, which could possibly be their last sport, and mentioned they’d been “dreading” the information.
“While this is undoubtedly a sad day for the Melbourne Rebels, the clarity that this decision provides for our players and staff is welcome,” they mentioned.
“The club will continue to work with RA and the Rugby Union Players Association regarding next steps for players and staff.”
Four groups left
Australia will likely be left with 4 Super Rugby groups in 2025 — ACT Brumbies, Queensland Reds, Western Force and NSW Waratahs. New Zealand have 5, with two Pacific sides additionally within the competitors.
A handful of Wallabies play for the Rebels, together with Carter Gordon, Taniela Tupou, Rob Leota, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Andrew Kellaway.
The membership was scheduled to host a match in July 2025 in opposition to the touring British and Irish Lions. That is now off and Rugby Australia mentioned they had been “evaluating possibilities”.
Consortium chief Clifford lashed out on the Rebels’ axing as a “slap in the face” to rugby followers in Victoria state and threatened to sue the governing physique.
He advised media he had a plan to maneuver the membership to Melbourne’s western suburbs, with Aus$18 million in funding.
“The consortium last week presented Rugby Australia with a detailed $18 million plan backed by local equity to not only save the Melbourne Rebels, but have them thrive in a new home in Tarneit in Melbourne’s west,” he mentioned.
“This was a credible, financially viable and sustainable plan.”
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