CEO Baden Stephenson says Melbourne Rebels will be competitive if allowed to play in 2018

SANZAR’s axe is still hanging precariously over the Melbourne Rebels but that hasn’t stopped CEO Baden Stephenson from planning for 2018 and beyond.

Amanaki Mafi is understood to be on the verge of re-signing with the Rebels

NEWLY appointed chief executive Baden Stephenson is adamant the Melbourne Rebels will field a competitive side in 2018 despite the uncertainty still surrounding the club’s future.

SANZAR’s axe is still hanging precariously over the head of the Rebels and Western Force, with one of the clubs to be cut from Super Rugby before the start of next season.

An Australian Rugby Union moratorium on franchises signing players was lifted recently.

And the Western Force re-signed yet another star on Wednesday, with winger Chance Peni joining flanker Richard Hardwick and prop Ben Daley as players who have recommitted in the past despite there being no guarantee the club will exist next year.

Amanaki Mafi is understood to be on the verge of re-signing with the Rebels

The Rebels have also signed players — Australian Sevens star Henry Hutchinson, Australian under 20s halfback Harrison Goddard and former England lock Geoff Parling — but have lost some as well.

Wallabies prop Toby Smith will join the Wellington Hurricanes, centre Mitch Inman has signed with French club Oyonnax and utility back Jack Debreczeni is likely to depart for Japanese club Honda Heat.

Coach Tony McGahan will not return next season, while inspirational loose forward Sean McMahon is also set to head to Japan.

But it is understood that No. 8 Amanaki Mafi — a shining light of 2017 — is on the verge of re-signing, while negotiations with captain Nic Stirzaker and forwards James Hanson, Steve Cummins and local product Fereti Sa’aga are well advanced.

Asked if he was confident his club would be able to attract appropriate talent for next year given the current circumstances, Stephenson said: “I am”.

“There’s obviously a lot of moving pieces,” he said.

“The outcome of the SANZAR decision will be a significant one for us, there’s no doubt about that.

“We’ve obviously got some gaps to fill, but we’re confident that we’ll be able to do that.”

With owner Andrew Cox saying he will refuse any ARU overtures to buy back the Rebels licence, Rebels players and officials are confident their club will survive the chop.

Contract negotiations with captain Nic Stirzaker are advancing well.

And indeed if they do play on next season, the Rebels should have plenty room to move within its squad to be able to attract top talent once a decision on the Super Rugby make-up is made.

“There are some experienced guys that we are talking to,” Stephenson said.

“We’re confident that we’ll have a competitive squad and we’re looking forward to improving our performance and moving upward in 2018.”

Originally published as CEO Baden Stephenson says Melbourne Rebels will be competitive if allowed to play in 2018