- Rebels have been in voluntary administration since January
- RA says consortium’s proposals “did not demonstrate sufficient financial viability”
Australian Super Rugby outfit melbourne Rebels have been dropped from the competition due to financial difficulties.
The Rebels have been in voluntary administration since January and Rugby Australia (RA) confirmed on 30th May it had not accepted a proposal from a consortium to take over the club’s licence from 2025.
Staff and players were told of the decision before flying to Fiji for their final regular-season match on 1st June.
The Rebels, who lie seventh in the table, have reached the playoffs for the first time since being founded in 2011.
A statement from RA said the consortium’s proposals “did not demonstrate sufficient financial viability” and said no documentary evidence had been provided to support a projected AUS$18 million (US$11.9 million) in funding.
“Since the Rebels’ inaugural year in 2011, [the Rebels have] not been independently financially sustainable despite significant additional investment by RA over and above committed club grants,” the statement said.
“There is nothing in the consortium’s proposal which demonstrates with…