LeCheese
Peter Johnson (47)
If I was another club I would recognise his current employer is up shit creek and there's an outstanding pay dispute - in no way is this is a blot on his character, let alone his employability as a rugby player.
Melbourne Rebels 2024
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
Wilson
David Codey (61)
Yeah, other clubs won't be particularly bothered by him taking this stance with the Rebels, none of them are planning their contracts based on what happens when everything falls to shit.
It may have an effect on his ability to get another contract in Australia in the short term (same as Rodda when he left the Reds), but if he's looking to leave I think he's probably aiming to maximise his earnings overseas.
It may have an effect on his ability to get another contract in Australia in the short term (same as Rodda when he left the Reds), but if he's looking to leave I think he's probably aiming to maximise his earnings overseas.
Ignoto
John Thornett (49)
Change the Rebels name to Qantas/Woolworths/ACME, would anyone have a similar issue of an employee not turning up to work if any of those organisations didn't pay what was owed?
Granted you're painting a target on your back in any other organisation, but I have no problem with Daungunu has done.
Granted you're painting a target on your back in any other organisation, but I have no problem with Daungunu has done.
Highlander35
Andrew Slack (58)
Slightly irritating it didn't come to a head earlier, particularly given he was one of our strongest performers in the first 3 rounds.
Can't blame him though. $7k is a fair chunk of change.
Can't blame him though. $7k is a fair chunk of change.
Strewthcobber
Mark Ella (57)
What's a Super Rugby plyer match fee worth? Presumably, if he doesn't play too many games he will be costing himself more than the initial $7k
Proud Pig
Ted Thorn (20)
It is a tricky one because it is not that he was not being paid his playing salary by the sounds of it. It sounds like he was meant to be reimbursed for his relocation expenses and his manager decided to wait until the last moment to submit the expense claim. As soon as the Rebels went into VA they legally could not pay that outstanding amount.
It also sounds like RA were willing to help if it was a cash flow issue while the creditor concern was being sorted out but he and his manager wanted on part of that.
So, he has withdrawn his services over an outstanding debt not over outstanding pay.
I would imagine that that would mean that RA would be perfectly within their rights to refuse to pay him his salary as he has withdrawn his services.
This is either Daugunu and his agent wrangling for an out of the contract or he has received very poor advice from his manager on trying to get the outstanding debt paid, which would be illegal.
It also sounds like RA were willing to help if it was a cash flow issue while the creditor concern was being sorted out but he and his manager wanted on part of that.
So, he has withdrawn his services over an outstanding debt not over outstanding pay.
I would imagine that that would mean that RA would be perfectly within their rights to refuse to pay him his salary as he has withdrawn his services.
This is either Daugunu and his agent wrangling for an out of the contract or he has received very poor advice from his manager on trying to get the outstanding debt paid, which would be illegal.
Strewthcobber
Mark Ella (57)
Sounds like this is just the press writing an angle on the story
I mean if he relocated the month of December before Christmas, and submitted his relocation fee first week back on deck in January, that would both fit the story, and be pretty reasonable
I mean if he relocated the month of December before Christmas, and submitted his relocation fee first week back on deck in January, that would both fit the story, and be pretty reasonable
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Rebelsfan
Billy Sheehan (19)
I don’t want to be a stick in the mud but if he was signed up last December, and told to submit his moving fees , and the directors knew they couldn’t pay up then they were trading while insolvent - I mean they had those notices from the ato in late November and a host of other bills they obviously weren’t planning to pay in December or anytime soon
LeCheese
Peter Johnson (47)
His signing was announced in June, but he may not have actually moved (and thus incurred relocation expenses which he can invoice for) until late last year
Highlander35
Andrew Slack (58)
RA (and by consequence Super) contracts are November-October to my understanding. Not sure what impact that might have on when the expenses occurred.
Filipo Daugunu
Peter Burge (5)
Hahahaha
Rebelsfan
Billy Sheehan (19)
That is the question. The Victorian Rugby AGM also occurred recently which uncovered some unexpected developments - could be related - not sure - they didn't produce an audited annual report but we know that Melbourne Rebels owe them over $330,000 - as they are listed as a creditor - not sure why Vic Rugby is lending money to a professional sports team, or if it is even allowed under their constitution, but with an overlap of directors on both entities, things look messy.
More on the Rebels drama. Grabbed from FB, but assume it’s a murdoch article
takeaways:
- lipo out for another week
- RA and Rebela board met yesterday.
- DCoA proposal due this Friday. Suspect we will know more about the future from there.
—
Wallabies winger to miss again as Rebels’ cash woes continue
WALLABIES WINGER FILIPO DAUGUNU WILL MISS A SECOND GAME FOR THE MELBOURNE REBELS ON FRIDAY AFTER AN UNPAID $7000 DEBT OWED TO HIM BY THE CLUB LED TO HIM WITHDRAWING FROM THE TEAM TO PLAY AGAINST THE QUEENSLAND REDS LAST WEEK.
News of Daugunu’s absence comes as the Rebels continue to pursue their demands for funding from Rugby Australia, with the former Super Rugby club board and the governing body locked in meetings on Tuesday.
Daugunu, an elusive outside back with seven caps for Australia, cited “personal reasons” for pulling out of the Rebels’ side for the round-four clash at AAMI Park, which the Reds won 53-26.
Informed sources, who spoke anonymously due to the confidential nature of the matter, said the withdrawal was related to Daugunu being owed $7000 by the Rebels, incurred when he paid for his own relocation costs from Brisbane to Melbourne over summer.
After Daugunu submitted his invoice to the club in January, however, the Rebels were placed in voluntary administration, with debts exceeding $21 million.
Rugby Australia subsequently recontracted Rebels players, coaches and some staff to play the 2024 season, but Daugunu’s relocation costs were deemed to fall under the Rebels’ liabilities, and the Fijian speedster is listed as one of the club’s 47 creditors.
As late as Friday, Daugunu’s camp pressed Rugby Australia to pay him back the $7000, but RA declined, pointing to need for the administration process to play out.
Clause 9.7 of the professional rugby CBA spells out Rugby Australia’s obligation, in the event of a Super Rugby franchise losing its right to field a team, to “assume liability for payments of all amounts due to players who are contracted to the relevant rugby body”, including relocation allowances.
Daugunu returned to training for the Rebels on Tuesday but after missing two training sessions, coach Kevin Foote was unable to consider the 29-year-old for a return to action on Friday night against the unbeaten Hurricanes. The team fly out for Wellington on Wednesday.
“He is back at training and the players were very happy to see him,” Foote said.
“From our perspective it will be great for him to get back on the field. He is just a footballer who wants to play rugby with people he cares about, and the quicker we can do that the better for everyone.”
Rebels captain Rob Leota said: “Obviously ‘Lipo’ (Daugunu) pulled out for personal reasons, that’s what we have been told. And also we know he has been receiving a lot of support.
“For us, we just have to keep going on. It was good to have him back today within our training and execute well, and help us prepare for our game. It was really good having him back and seeing him smile and happy around the group.”
RA and Rebels locked in legal meetings
Rugby Australia and the Rebels directors met on Tuesday to thrash out the claims made in a 10-page notice of demand the Rebels board sent to the peak body earlier this month.
That letter outlined a proposed course of action, as Rebels directors seek to recoup $8 million from RA they say is owed to the besieged club.
They allege the governing body owes $6 million for underfunding the club over a number of years, and an additional $2 million to cover the cost of Rebels’ player wages while they were on Wallabies duties.
Rugby Australia declined to comment.
Three sources with detailed knowledge of the ongoing process, not authorised to speak publicly, also confirmed on Tuesday that the former board are continuing to work out a Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) to put forward to creditors, who are owed a collective $22 million.
In February, Federal Court judge Catherine Button granted a 60-day extension to the voluntary administration process to give the board time to put forward the DOCA,
The board is chaired by Paul Docherty, and made up of lawyer Tim North, investor Lyndsey Cattermole, Rugby Victoria finance officer Owain Stone, Gary Gray, Georgia Widdup, and Rugby Victoria president Neil Hay.
The board has until Friday to submit the DOCA to PwC administrators tasked with handling the voluntary administration process.
takeaways:
- lipo out for another week
- RA and Rebela board met yesterday.
- DCoA proposal due this Friday. Suspect we will know more about the future from there.
—
Wallabies winger to miss again as Rebels’ cash woes continue
WALLABIES WINGER FILIPO DAUGUNU WILL MISS A SECOND GAME FOR THE MELBOURNE REBELS ON FRIDAY AFTER AN UNPAID $7000 DEBT OWED TO HIM BY THE CLUB LED TO HIM WITHDRAWING FROM THE TEAM TO PLAY AGAINST THE QUEENSLAND REDS LAST WEEK.
News of Daugunu’s absence comes as the Rebels continue to pursue their demands for funding from Rugby Australia, with the former Super Rugby club board and the governing body locked in meetings on Tuesday.
Daugunu, an elusive outside back with seven caps for Australia, cited “personal reasons” for pulling out of the Rebels’ side for the round-four clash at AAMI Park, which the Reds won 53-26.
Informed sources, who spoke anonymously due to the confidential nature of the matter, said the withdrawal was related to Daugunu being owed $7000 by the Rebels, incurred when he paid for his own relocation costs from Brisbane to Melbourne over summer.
After Daugunu submitted his invoice to the club in January, however, the Rebels were placed in voluntary administration, with debts exceeding $21 million.
Rugby Australia subsequently recontracted Rebels players, coaches and some staff to play the 2024 season, but Daugunu’s relocation costs were deemed to fall under the Rebels’ liabilities, and the Fijian speedster is listed as one of the club’s 47 creditors.
As late as Friday, Daugunu’s camp pressed Rugby Australia to pay him back the $7000, but RA declined, pointing to need for the administration process to play out.
Clause 9.7 of the professional rugby CBA spells out Rugby Australia’s obligation, in the event of a Super Rugby franchise losing its right to field a team, to “assume liability for payments of all amounts due to players who are contracted to the relevant rugby body”, including relocation allowances.
Daugunu returned to training for the Rebels on Tuesday but after missing two training sessions, coach Kevin Foote was unable to consider the 29-year-old for a return to action on Friday night against the unbeaten Hurricanes. The team fly out for Wellington on Wednesday.
“He is back at training and the players were very happy to see him,” Foote said.
“From our perspective it will be great for him to get back on the field. He is just a footballer who wants to play rugby with people he cares about, and the quicker we can do that the better for everyone.”
Rebels captain Rob Leota said: “Obviously ‘Lipo’ (Daugunu) pulled out for personal reasons, that’s what we have been told. And also we know he has been receiving a lot of support.
“For us, we just have to keep going on. It was good to have him back today within our training and execute well, and help us prepare for our game. It was really good having him back and seeing him smile and happy around the group.”
RA and Rebels locked in legal meetings
Rugby Australia and the Rebels directors met on Tuesday to thrash out the claims made in a 10-page notice of demand the Rebels board sent to the peak body earlier this month.
That letter outlined a proposed course of action, as Rebels directors seek to recoup $8 million from RA they say is owed to the besieged club.
They allege the governing body owes $6 million for underfunding the club over a number of years, and an additional $2 million to cover the cost of Rebels’ player wages while they were on Wallabies duties.
Rugby Australia declined to comment.
Three sources with detailed knowledge of the ongoing process, not authorised to speak publicly, also confirmed on Tuesday that the former board are continuing to work out a Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) to put forward to creditors, who are owed a collective $22 million.
In February, Federal Court judge Catherine Button granted a 60-day extension to the voluntary administration process to give the board time to put forward the DOCA,
The board is chaired by Paul Docherty, and made up of lawyer Tim North, investor Lyndsey Cattermole, Rugby Victoria finance officer Owain Stone, Gary Gray, Georgia Widdup, and Rugby Victoria president Neil Hay.
The board has until Friday to submit the DOCA to PwC administrators tasked with handling the voluntary administration process.
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believe it happened Tuesday. I’d imagine lots of fireworks and fingerpointing at that session. Would love an inside line of proceedings. Fairly sure they need to publish AGM minutes - can’t remember if it’s a RV constitution thing, or an ASIC requirement?
absolute bizarre stuff that RV are lending money to MRRU. Surely it would need VicGov sign off.
The lack of audited reports is a real concern and just a terrible look.
The Ghost of Raelene
Andrew Slack (58)
100% this is the ploy. Kick stones and carry on and sports teams always release a player. You can't have them around the rest.
Straight out of the NRLPA handbook.
I can't help but think if they do release him early, It could be a game of how fast can others be at Stiles door.
LeCheese
Peter Johnson (47)
Interesting quip from Kellaway’s interview on KOKO which might give a bit of insight into the playing group’s sentiment (paraphrased) -
Prof: “Have you been payed?”
Kellaway: “Yes, otherwise I wouldn’t be playing!”
He did also mention the staff have been been great at separating the players from ‘the noise’, but I’m sure there’s only so much that can be avoided.
Prof: “Have you been payed?”
Kellaway: “Yes, otherwise I wouldn’t be playing!”
He did also mention the staff have been been great at separating the players from ‘the noise’, but I’m sure there’s only so much that can be avoided.
PhilClinton
Geoff Shaw (53)
I am guessing Daugunu showing up to training is to ensure his regular pay checks are being paid still. But he reserves the right to be unavailable for selection?