Brumbies 2025 season guaranteed, RA says

The ACT Brumbies have been guaranteed a place in Super Rugby next year despite concerns about the club’s finances.

Rugby Australia Chair Daniel Herbert.

The ACT Brumbies have been guaranteed a place in Super Rugby next year despite concerns about the club’s finances.

Rugby Australia chair Dan Herbert, who insiders say has been under pressure to stand up for the code, said the Brumbies would be supported.

When asked if they would 100 per cent be on the park next season, Herbert said: “We’re committed to them, they are our most successful team and we believe they have a part to play as part of our alignment of high performance.

“They have done things better than a lot of clubs. If you look at the history of Super Rugby every club has at one point had its challenges.”

Nick Frost of the Brumbies and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto of the Rebels compete in a line out.

The questions on the Brumbies future come after the Melbourne Rebels went into voluntary administration in January, with more than $22 million of debt.

There have been claims that Rugby Australia would cut two sides from the Super Rugby competition next year to save money, with Melbourne and the Brumbies the most vulnerable.

The Brumbies released a financial report in November 2022, which showed a $1.3 million loss, but have not released the latest figures, which were expected to be bathed in red ink.

Club membership had already been in freefall, with revenue in 2022 from members coming in at $738,000 compared with $1.8 million in 2013.

ACT Brumbies chair Matt Nobbs was contacted to ask when the club would make last season’s figures public but did not respond.

Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh has flown to Dublin and London, along with chief financial officer Richard Gardham to meet with World Rugby and British and Irish Lions officials this week.

The meetings in Europe come as Rugby Australia continues to use an $80 million loan with Pacific Equity Partners.

Brumbies' Charlie Cale scores a try against the Rebels' last week.

The private funding deal has been underwritten with the Wallabies brand, which has been conservatively valued at $100m.

Rugby Australia has been pinning its financial hopes on a British and Irish Lions Tour next year and the 2027 World Cup, which will be held in Australia.

Herbert said Rugby Australia was being sensible with the PEP’s funds.

“We’ve still got some headroom on that, you’ve got to be careful and we have been putting some discipline around that,” he said.

“The game can’t afford itself at the moment. After the men’s World Cup we want to put some money aside to safeguard the game.”

All Super Rugby matches will be played at AAMI Park in Melbourne this week, with three double headers scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Victorian Government, which was owed at least $2 million by the Melbourne Rebels, has been in talks with Rugby Australia.

However, no plans were locked in for Herbert or Phil Waugh to meet with Sports Minister Steve Dimopoulos this weekend.

Phil Waugh has been in Dublin and London this week but will be in Melbourne for Super Round. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

Any deal to hand over cash to Rugby Australia was likely to be complicated, with funding likely tied to whether the MCG hosts the World Cup finals in 2027.

Rugby Australia also does control the decision on the World Cup finals, with World Rugby making the calls.

The office of Mr Dimopoulos said: “The Melbourne Rebels are a member of Victoria’s strong sporting landscape which helps pack our calendar with professional sport fixtures and major events, providing lasting benefits for the state’s visitor economy.”

“The Government is aware the Melbourne Rebels are working closely with Rugby Australia following the club entering into voluntary administration.”

Pacific Equity Partners declined to comment.