Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby is being shut down by Rugby Australia

In January, the Melbourne Rebels rugby team collapsed into voluntary administration with $23 million of debt.
Since then, the Rebels have been funded by Rugby Australia.
Ironically, the team seems set to play finals for the first time in its 14 years.
The Rebels have already been dropped from Super Rugby for next year's season.
Rugby Australia Chairman Daniel Herbert said the Rebels have never been financially viable.

[@userjoe4321]

I remember Raelene Castle's treatment of Israel Folau! Big downward spiral ever since...

[@davidfife-nm7uy]

Her treatment? Really. That religious fool needs to be gone. So you’re blaming Castle for the Rebels demise? You are a muppet

[@clintjohnson2245]

Wonder what twiggy forest and the western force think about that. Rugby Australia what a joke

[@stevewiles7132]

$23 million debt, they should be shut down.

[@namasi7070]

Rugby Australia needs to forget about its past. We always hear about the 70s and 80s. Folks, thats 50 years ago. Rugby is booming around the world. Watch the recent internationals in Europe involving Spain, Georgia, Germany etc. The same is true in South America with the rise of Uruguay, Chile, Brazil. Japan is now a tier one rugby nation with top players now preferring its local league. Australia should build from the ground up like everybody else.

[@DavidPola1961]

NSW has no real junior program left to support Melbourne, and QLD wont help The NRL has all the talent look at the Storm all imports but from a never-ending conveyor belt . The NRL destroyed Rugby Union In Australia with a superior brand

[@UluwatuHatiHati]

Yes..I remember watching Union in the late 60's early 70's and it was free flowing and great to watch...the constant rule changes stifled the game and its a stop start affair these days and a tough watch.

[@Jimmy009-st8mm]

Union destroyed itself, if the referee didn't stop it every 4 seconds so he can be the centre of attention it might be worth watching, like the NFL its 10%action and 90% stoppages 😂😂😂

[@alexandrugeorgescu6366]

meanwhile, IMPORTANT things like... INFRASTRUCTURE (roads, bridges, railroad etc)... yeah, whatever, da government will fix them next year or as soon as possible... sometime - whe don't know when, soon:/

[@AlonsoRules]

They deserve to be expunged - 23 million in debt, after being bailed out 13.8 million and an extra 6 million in funding

[@joeybrown3583]

Sports all does not equal patriotism.

[@caintindal1671]

It is another nail in coffin for rugby but yes understand why they did it. If I NSW I would be getting Carter Gordon playing fullback, Coleman, Wilkins as they need another NR 7 and one of the Melbourne wingers and Mafi if they can.

[@MeredithBell-v3f]

Get rid of all Rugby it's irrelevant

[@Azz00000]

😂like Palestine

[@DavidPola1961]

People in the north will not watch GAYFL only the ones who moved to the sun from the bleak city

[@Aaronwhatnow]

😂😂😂😂 getting triggered much?​@@DavidPola1961

[@paulveenings6861]

@@DavidPola1961I thought I was the only one that called it GAYFL 😂

[@paulveenings6861]

@@Aaronwhatnow🤡

[@muzzleflash1]

The best Rugby players can form six new NRL teams.

[@Azz00000]

For those who remember Western Force are laughing now 👍

[@JodyBryant-n8j]

Rugby is dying

[@samsonhiggins2608]

In Australia & New Zealand yeah