hoggy
Nev Cottrell (35)
Super Rugby the Competition that keeps on F----G Australian rugby.Don't shoot the messenger
Strapped Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby team in danger of folding
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Super Rugby the Competition that keeps on F----G Australian rugby.Don't shoot the messenger
Strapped Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby team in danger of folding
Great post GMR. Regardless of what happens in and to Super Rugby in the short term, I hope the Rebels, or their replacement if the worst case happens, can survive and take part in the domestic competition that will inevitably replace Super in time and that you and your friends on here can return to the game and enjoy it for a long time to come.Same. When the Rebels were given the 5th Aussie franchise I vowed to become a member and support them come hell or high water. I had never been a member of a sports team before (only had a passing interest in Super Rugby until then). Little did I know it would become a passion. Not sure why but it gave me a sense of belonging. These were my people. Not only have I made many friends along the way who have a similar passion, it has deepened my overall love of Rugby, as well as being more involved in the local Dewar Shield with the Melbourne Quins it has also taken my interest overseas, including attending two US MLR games (Seattle Seawolves) last season. Without the Rebels I fear Rugby will still be a game I love, but it won’t be a must see anymore.
I may have rose-coloured glasses but I’m also a realist. The Rebels aren’t a given (nothing is), but while there’s life, there’s hope.
only if you promise to deal with the meltdown from @Fergo & co once i doCan anyone copy the Aus article - I refuse the give the Murdochs any of my money
The Australian has learned the Rebels are set to request money – understood to be well over $400,000 – from Rugby Australia in order to pay players and staff for the Super Rugby 2024 season.
The Melbourne team are reportedly in debt up to the tune of $9 million.
The Herald Sun has reported Rebels chairman Paul Docherty – the club’s major sponsor – is a director of 10 companies that have lost at least $70 million.KPMG has been appointed administrator to eight companies linked to Hiro Brands, which Docherty has been a director of since 2021.
Insiders claim Melbourne was considering handing back its licence to Rugby Australia because it could not pay its bills, including up to $1 million owed to AAMI Park, where it plays.
The Super Rugby competition starts in a month, with venues booked and marquee players such as Wallabies and Rebels stars Andrew Kellaway and Taniela Tupou needing to be paid.
If the Rebels are to fold, it will cause chaos with RA’s broadcasters Channel 9 and Stan, who have the rights until 2025. The broadcaster will likely demand a reduction in media rights fees if the Rebels disappear.
Last December the Melbourne Rebels wrote to players and staff to assure them their jobs would be safe for next year amid revelations the club is millions of dollars in debt.The timing of the Rebels potentially going into voluntary administration should set off alarm bells for World Rugby chiefs Bill Beaumont and Alan Gilpin, who arrive in Australia this weekend for the World Sevens in Perth.
I still see this as a campaign to get the Rebels under RA control, pure and simple. The fact that RA allow Tupou (They pay his top up) to come south means they see a future in Victoria.
There is absolutely no commercial sense in the RA trying to cut off (at a minimum) 25% of their market?
Rugby in Victoria is one of the few states where it's growing.
The WC squad had 6 Victorians
Huge Pasifika community
Fasted growing population.
Then again, logic doesn't always prevail.....
I still see this as a campaign to get the Rebels under RA control, pure and simple. The fact that RA allow Tupou (They pay his top up) to come south means they see a future in Victoria. There is absolutely no commercial sense in the RA trying to cut off (at a minimum) 25% of their market?
Rugby in Victoria is one of the few states where it's growing.
The WC squad had 6 Victorians
Huge Pasifika community
Fasted growing population.
Then again, logic doesn't always prevail.....
How many times have I told you not to use logic in regards to Rugby Australia!I still see this as a campaign to get the Rebels under RA control, pure and simple. The fact that RA allow Tupou (They pay his top up) to come south means they see a future in Victoria. There is absolutely no commercial sense in the RA trying to cut off (at a minimum) 25% of their market?
Rugby in Victoria is one of the few states where it's growing.
The WC squad had 6 Victorians
Huge Pasifika community
Fasted growing population.
Then again, logic doesn't always prevail.....
Agree totally. None of factors would be of interest to the Brumbies though apparently, it all happens in Canberra and Wagga.Rugby in Victoria is one of the few states where it's growing.
The WC squad had 6 Victorians
Huge Pasifika community
Fasted growing population.
Then again, logic doesn't always prevail.....
Dang it, my memory os clearly going after banging my head against a Pulver, Castle, McLennan, Waugh shaped wallHow many times have I told you not to use logic in regards to Rugby Australia!
I still see this as a campaign to get the Rebels under RA control, pure and simple. The fact that RA allow Tupou (They pay his top up) to come south means they see a future in Victoria. There is absolutely no commercial sense in the RA trying to cut off (at a minimum) 25% of their market?
Agree totally. None of factors would be of interest to the Brumbies though apparently, it all happens in Canberra and Wagga.
Financially and market wise the obvious answer is Brumbies to go but they appear to be moderately more solvent than the rebels.I still see this as a campaign to get the Rebels under RA control, pure and simple. The fact that RA allow Tupou (They pay his top up) to come south means they see a future in Victoria. There is absolutely no commercial sense in the RA trying to cut off (at a minimum) 25% of their market?
Agree totally. None of factors would be of interest to the Brumbies though apparently, it all happens in Canberra and Wagga.
I don't want either to go, but what I was referring to is what you allude to in your last point. In the event that the Rebels are wound up, Victorian rugby players still require a professional pathway. They could just be scattered around ad lib but the obvious solution would be for the Brumbies to become the pathway for both ACT and Victorian (and some from southern NSW country) players. This way at least the Brumbies could claim that a reasonable proportion of their players are 'homegrown'. Slim can't get his head around that, I think he sees it as some type of reverse takeover when really it's just an expansion of the Brumbies' player catchment. ACTRU and VRU would still be completely separate entities.Financially and market wise the obvious answer is Brumbies to go but they appear to be moderately more solvent than the rebels.
Will be interesting to see what happens. I agree that I think RA will take them over completely and do the same with the Brumbies. Let reds and force stand on their own for awhile longer.
Rebels tried to play hard ball maybe, RA saw the books and said - we will just get everything you want when you go bust soon
The Rebels were open to aligning S & C but wanted independent back office - Marketing, board etc......RA said they wanted the whole pieNot sure where everyone is getting this idea that it's all a scheme by RA to bring the rebels into the fold, all the reporting has been that the rebels were keen to follow the tahs but RA are the ones not keen on it. If RA wanted control of the rebels that badly they would've taken it weeks ago.
I don't want either to go, but what I was referring to is what you allude to in your last point. In the event that the Rebels are wound up, Victorian rugby players still require a professional pathway. They could just be scattered around ad lib but the obvious solution would be for the Brumbies to become the pathway for both ACT and Victorian (and some from southern NSW country) players. This way at least the Brumbies could claim that a reasonable proportion of their players are 'homegrown'. Slim can't get his head around that, I think he sees it as some type of reverse takeover when really it's just an expansion of the Brumbies' player catchment. ACTRU and VRU would still be completely separate entities.
Yes the upshot of that is that some games would have to be played in Melbourne. I get that not having one 'home ground' is an issue for both bands of supporters, and that both would want in their city. There is no simple solution but the objective is to grow the game in both areas, so whatever it is that achieves that.Good insights, but having to travel to ACT will put a lot of kids and families off + there is no potential to fill up GIO stadium. just not enough people in the area - Melbourne on the other hand is a HUGE population and growing (acknowledging it's an ultra competitive market)
I don't want either to go, but what I was referring to is what you allude to in your last point. In the event that the Rebels are wound up, Victorian rugby players still require a professional pathway. They could just be scattered around ad lib but the obvious solution would be for the Brumbies to become the pathway for both ACT and Victorian (and some from southern NSW country) players. This way at least the Brumbies could claim that a reasonable proportion of their players are 'homegrown'. Slim can't get his head around that, I think he sees it as some type of reverse takeover when really it's just an expansion of the Brumbies' player catchment. ACTRU and VRU would still be completely separate entities.