Rugby Australia responds to Melbourne Rebels entering voluntary administration

The Melbourne Rebels entered into voluntary administration last night with the debt-ridden Super Rugby club receiving support from Rugby Australia.

Executives from the Rebels called in insolvency firm Wexted Advisors last Thursday with SMH reporting that the Rebels has debts amounting to around $9 million - owing millions of dollars to the Australian Taxation Office and about $1 million in fees for use of AAMI Park stadium, managed by the state government’s Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust.

Rugby Australia has today affirmed its commitment to Rugby in Victoria and will now work with the appointed administrator to ensure the Melbourne Rebels take the field for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women’s competitions.

As Rugby Australia works with administrators, it will also focus on a viable professional Rugby footprint in Melbourne that can be sustainable and commercially successful in the future.

Rugby Australia Chief Executive Phil Waugh says the Rebels’ players and staff will be supported through this time.

Waugh shared “RA is committed to ensuring the Melbourne Rebels play in the 2024 Super Rugby competitions, and we will support their preparation for the new season.

“As custodians of the game, we are determined to ensure that RA is making responsible decisions for a sustainable and successful future – we will work with the Rebels and the relevant stakeholders to that end.”

Super Rugby Pacific’s Super Round, set to take place on 1st-3rd March at AAMI Park, will not be impacted.

Waugh said Rugby Australia would continue its dialogue with the Victorian Government in relation to the future of the Melbourne Rebels adding “The Victorian Government has been a long-standing and significant supporter of professional and community Rugby.

“Through our strong partnership – forged through decades of staging major events in Melbourne – our focus is to work with the Victorian Government and its key agencies, including Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust, to ensure the Rebels’ participation in the 2024 Super Rugby season and the continuation of professional Rugby in the state.”

Melbourne Rebels Chief Executive Baden Stephenson says the organisation is determined to fulfil its commitments for the 2024 season and advised “Our focus as an organisation is to ensure we can deliver the 2024 season, perform well in the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women’s competitions, and to position our club in the best possible way for the future.

“Thank you to the Rebels’ players and staff, our partners, and especially the members and fans for their support and patience during this time.”

The Victorian Government has previously bailed out the Rebels. In 2017, the state government entered into a $20 million deal with Rugby Australia to secure the Bledisloe Cup and British and Irish Lions Test matches in Melbourne over an eight-to-10-year period. That deal ensured the Melbourne team would be retained in the Super Rugby competition.

Image. Credit: Rugby Australia