Wallabies’ fixtures against British and Irish Lions to go ahead in Melbourne despite Rebels’ woes

With Melbourne Rebels facing an uncertain future, questions have been raised about whether Victoria will lose two blockbuster Wallabies fixtures. Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh has his say.

(FILES) Australia's lock Will Skelton reacts during the Rugby Championship first round match between South Africa and Australia at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria on July 8, 2023. Forgotten by Australia for four years, the colossus Will Skelton has made himself indispensable in Europe, to the point of being named captain of the Wallabies for the World Cup in France, where he settled three years ago. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP)

Rugby Australia has assured Victoria it will keep its two lucrative fixtures against the British and Irish Lions in 2025 regardless of whether the Melbourne Rebels survive beyond this year.

While no decisions have yet been made about the future of the Rebels, who are currently operating under voluntary administration because of their massive debts, attention has already turned to next year’s Lions tour.

The Lions are scheduled to play two matches in the Victorian capital – against the Rebels at Marvel Stadium on July 22 then the Wallabies at the MCG four days later – with both games certain to be massive money spinners because of the army of supporters the Lions attract.

Almost 40,000 rugby fans travelled from Europe for the last tour in 2013 – selling out every game and pumping millions of tourism dollars into each of the host cities.

The Rebels are under pressure to survive beyond this year.

Despite the bleak outlook for the Rebels, Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said Melbourne would not lose either of its two fixtures to interstate, with thousands of tickets and hotel rooms already booked.

“Absolutely, that’s definite,” Waugh said.

“That’s part of our commitment, it’s part of the joint venture agreement that we have with the Lions.

“No matter the outcome of what 2025 and beyond looks like for Super Rugby, we will have a competitive Melbourne game against the Lions.”

Drowning in debt, the Rebels have been given a guarantee they will be able to field a team in this year’s Super Rugby competition, starting in a fortnight.

But what happens next year remains in the air, raising the possibility there won’t be a Rebels team to play the Lions. If that’s the case, the Lions will be given a high-profile replacement, either Australia A or a combined Pasifika team.

“We’re in constant talk with the Lions,” Waugh said.

“There’s no change to the schedule at this stage with the guarantee that we’ll certainly be fielding a very strong team against the Lions that will be appealing.

“Our immediate focus is around delivering the Rebels in 2024.”

Tate McDermott catches the ball during a game at the MCG. Picture: Dave Hewison/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It’s not just Victoria banking on the big-spending Lions’ supporters.

Rugby Australia is also in need of cash, and pinning its hopes on the Lions tour – which only happens once every 12 years – and the hosting of the 2027 World Cup to help the struggling code get back on its feet.

Rugby Australia has already taken out an $80 million debt facility to stay afloat but Waugh said tough decisions had to be made to make sure any future incomes aren’t wasted.

“We need to get to a model that’s sustainable,” Waugh said.

“Right now, if we look across some of the pressure our Super Rugby clubs are under, it’s tough.

“The reality is that the worst thing that we could do for the game is spend all that future revenue, get to 2027, pay down your debt. You’re only debt free but you’ve got an unsustainable model going forward into 2028.”

Waugh said it was too speculate about what might happen but said everyone was working hard to figure out the best solutions to give players and staff some clarity about the future.

“Everything’s on the table. The reality is this accelerated far faster than people anticipated,” he said.

“The focus has been on delivering the 2024 season and then the broader strategic conversation on what does 2025 and beyond look like?

“The game has a revenue challenge to sustain its cost base. And I need to be really fiscally responsible around how finance is distributed across the system.”

WALLABIES, WALLAROOS’ 2024 SCHEDULES REVEALED

The new Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is already off to a better start than his predecessor Eddie Jones with Rugby Australia scheduling a historic home test against European minnows Georgia later this year.

The Wallabies didn’t win a single test match at home under Jones last year before crashing out of the World Cup, but should chalk one up early when they play Georgia at Allianz Stadium on July 20.

Although the Eastern Europeans are a fast-improving side, they were no match for the Wallabies at last year’s World Cup, losing 35-15 in their pool C match in Paris, just before the wheels fell off for the Australians.

The Wallabies will also get the chance to avenge their humiliating loss World Cup thumping by Wales with two tests scheduled for July, at Allianz Stadium then Melbourne’s AAMI Park.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE WALLABIES AND WALLAROOS 2024 HOME SCHEDULE

Australia's lock Will Skelton. Picture: AFP

The Wallabies will also host three Rugby championship matches, two against world champions South Africa in Brisbane and Perth and one against New Zealand at Accor Stadium.

Rugby Australia also announced four home matches for the Wallaroos.

“We’re thrilled to announce a massive international season next year for the Wallaroos and the Wallabies on home soil with 10 Tests in total across the two teams,” Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said.

“The Wallabies will be looking for a reset this year, with Joe Schmidt to lead them against four high-quality Test opponents on home soil, including Georgia who we look forward to welcoming to Australia for the first time.”

Originally published as Wallabies’ fixtures against British and Irish Lions to go ahead in Melbourne despite Rebels’ woes