Former Wallaby skipper Stirling Mortlock replaces Rod Macqueen on Melbourne Rebels board

THE Melbourne Rebels have cut all ties with Rod Macqueen after the foundation coach was replaced on the club's board by Stirling Mortlock.

Rod Macqueen and Stirling Mortlock

THE Melbourne Rebels have cut all ties with Rod Macqueen after the foundation coach was replaced on the club's board by ex-Test skipper Stirling Mortlock.

Just three years after the Rebels were born with Macqueen at the helm, the former World Cup-winning Wallaby coach has been quietly shuffled off the board to make way for his foundation captain Mortlock.

An announcement on Mortlock's appointment as a director was issued by the Rebels on Friday morning without reference to Macqueen, but the club later confirmed he was the board member exiting under a re-structure.

The Rebels and the VRU have amalgamated following Harold Mitchell and other private shareholders handing ownership to Victorian Rugby in June.

From being a high-profile head coach of the Rebels in 2011, Macqueen's departure has been swift. He moved into a director of rugby role in 2012, with Damien Hill taking over as head coach, and has not had a hands-on role with the side from a Sydney base.

But Macqueen is far from alone in terms of foundation Rebels now no longer with the club.

Remarkably, only four players of the original 34-man squad in 2011 will suit for up Melbourne in the 2014 season: Laurie Weeks, Hugh Pyle, Lachie Mitchell and Luke Jones.

Three others - Mortlock, Sam Cordingley and Adam Freier - are now officials with the club, but all others signed by Macqueen and the Rebels have retired or moved on.

Mortlock, who has stayed in Melbourne to work in the banking sector after retiring, said in a statement he was looking forward to settling into his new role.

"It is an exciting time for the Melbourne Rebels and its members," Mortlock said.

"With the Melbourne Rebels now being truly owned by the Victorian Rugby Union community, it provides a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to benefit from mutual goals and ambition.

"With both the on and off field teams under new leadership, and a young playing roster, we are on the cusp of building a rugby program that is the envy of every club, provincial, and national team here in Melbourne.

"We can now collectively work as one, in union."