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Melbourne Rebels launch lawsuit against Rugby Australia
By AAP
The Melbourne Rebels are seeking “significant damages” from Rugby Australia in a lawsuit launched after the club was dissolved by the governing body. In a claim filed to the Federal Court on Wednesday, the club is seeking a declaration that it can resume control of the Rebels so the team can continue to play in the Super Rugby competition.
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“The Rebels are a member of Rugby Australia and had a legal expectation that they would not only be treated fairly but that they would be treated equally to other members,” the club said in a statement. “Amongst other things, the Rebels will assert that Rugby Australia has breached various sections of the Corporations Act.”
The club is also seeking that the court order Rugby Australia to open its books for inspection to determine claims it failed funding responsibilities for the Rebels, including when players were representing the Wallabies.
In the statement, the club said it believed there had been “unacceptable and unauthorised spending” by Rugby Australia, including during the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The Rebels claim Rugby Australia executives and directors continued to reassure it, and other teams, that a large private equity deal would provide a financial lifeline to the sport.
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“Rugby Australia did secure an $80 million loan facility, but they chose only to provide funding, indemnities or other financial support to the NSW Waratahs and subsequently the ACT Brumbies in preference to the Melbourne Rebels,” the club said.
The Rebels were axed by Rugby Australia in May after entering voluntary administration five months earlier with debts exceeding $23 million. Many players and staff have since joined other clubs. Rugby Australia has been contacted for comment.
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They may win the case against RA but it will not get them back into SR. The competition is better without them.
The Melbourne Rebels Kings Counsel charges $20,000 to $25,000 a day.
He's no dummy, unlike Rugby Australia board members and staff.
I think Rugby Australia are probably in big, big trouble.
They should have listened to SA Rugby back in 2008/2009 when a big spat broke out between SA Rugby and the ARU & NZR after they ganged up to include the Rebels instead of the Kings.
The then president of SA Rugby Brian van Rooyen said something to the effect that the Rebels were not feasible, as had already been proven with the previous inclusion of the Force He also mentioned that SANZAAR would get more broadcast revenue with the Kings, which they in fact did get a few years later when the Kings were included in SR.
Brian van Rooyen was 100% right as to the Rebels feasibility in SR. Just on attendance alone, it ended up taking the Rebels 10 seasons to get the same attendance numbers that the Kings got in just their 3 seasons of SR.