Melbourne Rebels launch $30m lawsuit against Rugby Australia after Super Rugby axing

The Melbourne Rebels have launched a $30 million court case against Rugby Australia to re-enter Super Rugby, leaving the under fire national body at serious financial risk.

The Melbourne Rebels have launched a $30 million court case against Rugby Australia to re-enter Super Rugby, and if successful, would also allow them to inspect the books of the governing body.

The stunning challenge was launched today in the Federal Court of Australia, and CODE Sport understands the Rebels are seeking upwards of $30 million after being axed from Super Rugby by RA earlier this year.

Nearly all of the Rebels players have been reassigned to other Australian Super franchises, while others have sought moves overseas.

The court case threatens to cripple an already financially-strained RA, who had to take out an $80 million line of credit from Pacific Equity Partners earlier this year to stay afloat.

It’s understood RA have spent more than half of that loan already, and their intent is to repay it in full from profits garnered through the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour, and the 2027 Rugby World Cup to be held in Australia.

However, the significant legal costs from this Rebels challenge – regardless of the financial outcome – will test the immediate resources of RA.

The Melbourne Rebels were axed from Super Rugby at the end of last season. Picture: Grant Down/AFP

The proceedings have been undertaken by Melbourne Rebels Rugby Union Pty Ltd.

“The Melbourne Rebels are seeking significant damages and indemnities from Rugby Australia along with a declaration that they are entitled to resume control of the Rebels so the team can continue to play in the Super Rugby Competition,” they said in a statement.

“The Rebels are a member of Rugby Australia and had a legal expectation that they would not only be treated fairly but that they would be treated equally to other members. Amongst other things, the Rebels will assert that Rugby Australia has breached various section of the Corporations Act, has unlawfully oppressed the Rebels and is obliged to indemnify the Rebels for liabilities to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) (as well as other broader employment liabilities) incurred when Rebels players were playing for Rugby Australia teams.

“The Rebels are seeking an urgent order granting the Rebels the right to inspect the Rugby Australia books, including accounting and loan records, to determine whether (and the extent to which) there has been fiduciary and governance failures by Rugby Australia.

“The Constitution requires that the assets of Rugby Australia be applied for the benefit of all members. The Rebels believe that this has not been the case and that there has been unacceptable and unauthorised spending (perhaps best exemplified by the unauthorised and excessive spending at last year’s Rugby World Cup and the subsequent suppression of the Rugby World Cup independent report).

“We want an independent person to decide whether the conduct of Rugby Australia meets the standards required by law – and that will now be a Federal Court Judge.”

Rugby Australia chair Daniel Herbert and chief Phil Waugh. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Counsel for the Melbourne Rebels includes Philip Crutchfield KC, Harry Forrester, tax specialist Gareth Redenbach and Alexander Di Stefano.

The Rebels said their directors, “all unpaid volunteers, will be providing the court extensive documentation demonstrating that Rugby Australia was aware of the financial situation of the Rebels at all times”.

“There is also extensive evidence of Rugby Australia executives and directors continuing to reassure the Rebels (and other clubs) that a large private equity deal was imminent and would provide a financial lifeline to Rugby in Australia,” the statement said.

“Rugby Australia did secure an $80m loan facility but they chose only to provide funding, indemnities or other financial support to the NSW Waratahs and subsequently the ACT Brumbies in preference to the Melbourne Rebels.

“The Rugby Australia Board and executives don’t seem to understand that Rugby Australia is a union of members. The Rugby Australia Board has a legal obligation to act in the interest of all members, they do not have the ability (or legal right) to pick and choose the Clubs and/or States they wish to survive and those that they wish to destroy.

Georgia Widdup, a Melbourne Rebels board director, has been fighting to save the rugby club.

“There is no trust and confidence in the board and management of Rugby Australia. Their conduct needs to be both exposed and explained.

“RA have had many months to explain their actions and have failed to do so. The Rebels directors believe that the simple reason for this is that there is no defence to their conduct.

“We are fighting to not only save the professional men’s and women’s rugby teams, but to maintain the successful pathways from grassroots junior rugby in Victoria through to the elite level. We are grateful for the incredible support we have received from the Victorian Government who also understand the importance of a professional team to the boys and girls in Victoria. Over two decades the Victorian government has provided significant funding to Rugby Australia to facilitate the development – not only of rugby in Victoria but of the broader national game.

“The conduct of Rugby Australia in destroying the Rebels – the men’s and women’s teams – demonstrates an appalling lack of judgement by the national body.

“The directors have reserved their right to seek future compensation from RA for personal damages inflicted on them by RA.

“With backing from the Private Equity backed consortium, the Rebels can be back on the field at a new home in Tarneit in Melbourne’s western suburbs as soon as the Court clears the path.”

Originally published as Melbourne Rebels launch $30m lawsuit against Rugby Australia after Super Rugby axing