Melbourne Rebels confident of survival despite threat of up to 16 players heading overseas

As if Aussie rugby didn’t have enough to worry about comes the news that a mass player exodus to Japan is threatening the very existence of the Melbourne Rebels.

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The future of the Melbourne Rebels franchise is under a cloud with 16 players either set to take up huge foreign contracts or considering their options beyond this season.

Rugby Australia has frozen all contract negotiations for next year with its major revenue stream, a $57 million a year broadcast deal, ending this season.

The potential exodus confirms players contracted to the Super Rugby clubs are worried about the future of the game in Australia.

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The Rebels are confident they are well set for the future despite the current crisis.

The Japanese competition is considered the most lucrative and stable in the COVID-19 environment, with top players earning more than $1m a season and middle tier players around $300,000 to $600,000.

News Corp Australia can reveal eight Rebels have either signed or have been linked to clubs in the Japan Rugby Top League.

Melbourne Rebels chief executive Baden Stephenson said he hoped players would not break their contracts and that the financial future of the club was secure.

“The vast majority of our players are being patient and happy to stay in our environment,” Stephenson said.

“I know the four CEOs have all got similar situations, we are working through it. We obviously have a number of quality of players contracted for next year and we are hopeful those guys certainly stay and continue to buy into the club.”

There are fears in the rugby community that the Rebels are in financial strife and facing extinction.

Stephenson rubbished the suggestion and said the future for the Rebels was bright.

Anaru Rangi is heading to Japan after this season.

“I am really positive and excited about the future,” Stephenson said.

“We have a participation agreement into whatever the Super Rugby competition looks like next year. There’s been no communication otherwise from Rugby Australia to say that we are under any threat. My gut feel is that New Zealand are making some noises about ‘maybe Australia can have less teams’.

“Australian rugby needs to start making decisions in the best interest of Australian rugby. I am in constant dialogue with the other CEOs and Rob Clarke, Hamish McLennan. I am quite excited about maybe a different competition format and structure.

“If you look at the Rebels historically, our biggest crowds for the last 9-10 years have always been the New Zealand teams when we’ve hosted them. We have a big expat community. Of all the Super Rugby clubs, we would be very keen to keep some involvement with Japanese rugby … we’ve got half a dozen Japanese sponsors … that are aligned to the Rebels.

“Whatever the competition, be it domestic, trans-Tasman, or Japan, we are reasonably well set up and totally confident about our future.”

While RA is said to have had “positive discussions” with Fox Sports on Wednesday regarding a domestic competition for this year, there is major concern around the game’s future.

Sixteen Rebels have either been approached by foreign clubs, had signed overseas contracts pre-COVID-19 or are off contract.

Andrew Kellaway is another player who could be on the move.

Anaru Rangi is confirmed to head to Japan after this season while Andrew Deegan, Ross Haylett-Petty, Ryan Louwrens, Gideon Koegelenberg and Tom English have all fielded offers.

Winger Andrew Kellaway is yet to decide on his future but is also understood to be considering a move to the Top League.

Wallabies and Rebels winger Marika Koroibete is considering his options with clubs in Japan, UK, France and the US bidding for his services.

Luke Jones (Racing-Metro), Jermaine Ansley (Highlanders), Harry Potter (Leicester) and Matt Philip (Pau) are set to leave at the end of the season, while Bill Meakes and Angus Cottrell have already indicated they will head to the United States.

Frank Lomani is expected to exit the club and Campbell Magnay is also out of contract but is considering staying in Melbourne.

The Rugby Union Players Association agreed to a COVID-19-related reduction in salary of 60 per cent until the end of September.

With foreign clubs circling prominent Wallabies and talented youngsters such as Reds gun Harry Wilson, there are rumblings within in the game for the Giteau Law to be scrapped.

In some positive news, Campbell Magnay could stay in Melbourne.

As the Giteau Law stands, only players who have given a minimum of seven years’ service to an Australian Super Rugby franchise or who have played 60+ Tests for the Wallabies are eligible for Test selection while based overseas.