Rugby Australia has confirmed that the Melbourne Rebels have entered voluntary administration, as hopes grow that the Victorian Government may emerge as a longer-term saviour of the franchise.
News that administrators had been appointed to the Rebels emerged last week, with their total debts owing reported to be between $9-10m, as the club’s major sponsor BRC Capital and chairman Paul Docherty were embroiled in serious financial difficulty.
RA on Tuesday confirmed that it would work with the administrators, Deloitte, as reported by the Australian Financial Review, but would but only guaranteed the franchise’s survival for 2024. The governing body also confirmed that the third edition of Super Rugby Pacific’s Super Round would proceed as planned in Round 2.
“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,” RA chief executive Phil Waugh said.
“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.”
The Rebels owe the lion’s share of their debt to the Australian Taxation Office,…