The playing future of Wallabies stars Taniela Tupou and Andrew Kellaway are up in the air amid reports the cash-strapped melbourne Rebels have entered voluntary administration needing a bailout of up to $500,000 to pay players and staff.
Less than a month out from their season-opening clash against the Brumbies on February 23, the Rebels have appointed external financial advisers, sydney firm Wexted, to help address the club’s $9m debt.
It comes amid reports that chairman Paul Docherty is set to step down, with his own personal businesses flailing and owing at least $70m.
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Rugby Australia remains committed to the Rebels playing in 2024, but the future beyond that could rely on a cash injection from the Victorian government.
No Rebels players or staff are contracted beyond 2025, including Tupou, who moved south from the Queensland Reds after the last Super Rugby Pacific season in a huge coup for the Melbourne outfit.
Tupou was one of seven Rebels players, including scrum-half Carter Gordon, who went to last year’s World Cup with the Wallabies before returning for pre-season.
Despite the…
