Aussie Pro Rugby
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@Duluth said in Aussie Rugby:
Letting the Rebels die would see the Force finally flourish
It's time to accept that Super Rugby and Melbourne hasn't worked out, clearly. It's a battle not worth the money.
Only the stunning incompetence of RA could've attempted to make a success of a team in a region that has near total dominance by one code and your closest competitor (the Storm) is wildly successful.
And then do that at the expense of a team surrounded by expats from NZ, SA and England. Baffling.
Hopefully as the article mentions, this could be good for rugby in Oz generally and SR specifically.
Unless of course RA continue to whip a dead horse.
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Would the Rebels be considered an option to grow fans if they were actually any fucking good?
I don't live there, but in OZ especially with the competition for bums on seats (eyes on streams), it seems to me that if you aren't a shot of winning shit, you aren't shit. Especially in that market. I agree that it is pushing shit uphill. But league did it - maybe first mover advantage and their success fucks it all up anyway.
Australia can't support 5 good sides with their current rugby population, but if they could add good international players, the Rebels / Force could be much stronger. I don't know where the money comes from of course.
This is all to say that I've actually kind of come around to the idea that for Super rugby to be strong we actually need more teams. Losing one only seems to make this competition look like a dog and pony show.
Unless, unless, they use this opportunity to make the competition have a proper home and away for all teams with a top 4 playoff series. Could that simply be the answer?
I dunno, I've had one too many wines after a great day at the beach. I reserve the right to say I meant none of it when I wake up tomorrow.
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@gt12 the way i figure it, for a team to be popular it needs at least one of three things...
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a long history in the community so people support them because their dad and granddad did, see lots of UK football teams
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be the only show in town, see US franchises when they move to a new area
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buy some early success, people love to jump on the bandwagon and then once you're on some will stay for the ride, see the storm
the rebels have none of those
in saying that i kind of agree, i understand people that want only the highest quality but im not worried myself, i enjoy watch club rugby which is mile off these guys level
I think the issue with that here, other than money which is a big part, is how the rebels were chosen to survive despite the above when other "better" option like for force were dropped. and now COVID is over id rather see the jags back....or even a new Japanese team (if correctly funded)
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Soon after news surfaced that Super Rugby franchise Melbourne Rebels was slipping into voluntary administration, French Top 14 and UK premiership rugby clubs were on the phones seeking to capitalise on the chaos by securing the signatures of star Wallabies on the Rebels’ books.
Props Taniela Tupou and Pone Fa’amausili, playmaker Carter Gordon and skipper Rob Leota are in the sights of overseas agents and clubs, while lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who has not long returned from the English Premiership, has also attracted interest from Japanese clubs.
With Rugby Australia refusing to guarantee the future of the Rebels beyond this season, the dark arts of player recruitment is in overdrive with the long-term plans of Tupou and Gordon, in particular, being gauged by northern clubs.
It’s understood Tupou is already attracting informal interest north of $1.5m a season from Europe for his talents.
Good thing McLennan signed that wing from the NRL!
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Invitation to attend online forum:
Our commitment is to keep you informed and we invite you to join us for an online forum to discuss the impact of voluntary administration and share your valuable insights as we navigate this challenging but crucial phase together. Baden Stephenson, Kevin Foote and representatives from PwC will be in attendance to answer questions.When: Monday 5th February
Time: 5:30pm -
Interesting article from the Oz (again: Murdoch rag). Not to say it isn't correct in a "directional" sense - chaos presents opportunity, after all - but one thing there makes me smile: any name other than Tupou's being mentioned.
I'm not saying Gordon, Fa'amausili, and Leota aren't talented and capable, but given they're hardly game breakers, it seems weird they'd get a mention.
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https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/02/08/leaked-document-says-ra-out-to-destroy-super-rugby-and-turn-members-against-each-other-as-rebels-pain-comes-to-light/
The Melbourne Rebels have accused Rugby Australia of seeking to “destroy” the current Super Rugby Pacific structure by deliberately underfunding its member unions and lambasted the national union for their unrestricted World Cup budget blowout.A leaked document, written by the Melbourne Rebels Board and Rugby Victoria, also reveals that seven months before the Rebels went into voluntary administration, RA demanded the Melbourne-based side be known as the Rebels Pasifikia.
The Roar understands that RA chief executive Phil Waugh was the brainchild of the Melbourne-based franchise joining forces with Moana Pasifikia, who are owned by New Zealand Rugby and propped up by World Rugby but have struggled on and off the field since entering the competition in 2021.
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LOL Unit that goes into administration tried to blame everyone else and not their shit spending and business. Then leaks about it.
Might be some truth in some of it, 'demand' they merge with MP more likely a a suggestion - as RA knew they were going down the gurgler.
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Whole thing makes for shit reading doesn't it? Not sure how much is true, I can understand some on Rebels board being pretty pissed. but not sure if this kind of 'leak' does anyone or thing any good. Seems the more you read (even allowing for papers exageration or own bias) it looking more and more like Rebels are history, as at moment seems you can't actually but tickets to their games at AAMI stadium, all on hold or something. Whether that's got to do with adminstration etc is not real clear.
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Aussie Rugby:
The Roar understands that RA chief executive Phil Waugh was the brainchild of the Melbourne-based franchise joining forces with Moana Pasifikia, who are owned by New Zealand Rugby and propped up by World Rugby but have struggled on and off the field since entering the competition in 2021.
That would not surprise me in the slightest.
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Nothing good tends to happens in pub/nightclub toilets however Kurtley got lucky and now cleared
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The future of the Melbourne Rebels beyond the 2024 season will be known by early March after documents filed to the corporate regulator revealed the embattled Super Rugby franchise had only $17,300 in the bank. The grim financial state of the Super Rugby franchise was laid bare in a creditors meeting held on Thursday, the minutes of which were filed to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission on Monday. The administrators agreed to meet again by March 4, when they will hand down a report determining whether the Rebels should be wound up. Auditors from PwC appointed to investigate the club’s financials revealed the Rebels owe $11.6 million to the Australian Taxation Office, $5.7 million to board members, and $2.8 million to suppliers – which include sponsors that paid their fees upfront. -
@KiwiMurph How do you owe $6M to board members?
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@nzzp said in Aussie Rugby:
@KiwiMurph How do you owe $6M to board members?
Especially as the board got you into this mess.
They should be blackballed.
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@nzzp said in Aussie Rugby:
@KiwiMurph How do you owe $6M to board members?
Did some provide personal loans?
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@Bovidae said in Aussie Rugby:
@nzzp said in Aussie Rugby:
@KiwiMurph How do you owe $6M to board members?
Did some provide personal loans?
thats what i was wondering
@KiwiMurph said in Aussie Rugby:
and $2.8 million to suppliers – which include sponsors that paid their fees upfront.what does this mean? the sponsors pay them a fee to get a sign on the ground on jersey or something, how can they owe them money? is that only if they get wound up and dont play games so the sponsor doesnt get their moneys worth?
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@Kiwiwomble
The sponsorship part is probably future year agreements that have been paid upfront I guess
