Sports minister raised World Cup final in phone call to rugby boss
Rugby officials have been warned the Victorian government expects an elite rugby union team to play in the state, with the future of the Melbourne Rebels to be decided on Friday as ministers weigh up a bid to stage the 2027 Rugby World Cup final.www.theage.com.au
I love how full of it the RA spin people are.
Hey we all want an elite rugby union team based in Melbourne. Unfortunately we’ve only had the Rebels there.
I thought it was Reds A?
Or sharing between the 2 cities, we don't have enough games as it is.So long as there's no more dribble about the Brumbies relocating.
Influential figures in Victorian sport, business and politics – including former Rebels chairman Paul Docherty – had been working towards hosting the 2027 Rugby World Cup final since before Australia even submitted a formal bid.
Fair enough for the Victorian government to come in with the stick, but they'll need to offer a carrot as the alternative if they want to get anywhere with it. It doesn't matter too much what RA might miss out on without the Rebels if they're not viable as an ongoing concern - if that can't be shown then there's no path forward that involves keeping them going.Breathtaking confidence gotta give 'em that.
So VicGov is playing a timely hand. World Rugby will no doubt watch more closely.
And they've seen the proposal from the consortium. So, no more excuses there.
I saw a snip on codeSports quoting the RA CFO, saying, "Five teams can work, but it will be financially tight" (paraphrased).
I think RA softening the ground here to eat some humble pie and accept the offer.
Yep, I am absolutely crystal clear that we produce and have the talent for 5 teams. What we dont have is the $ to keep them away for overseas and Jail Rugby. No doubt in my mind at all.No more talk of cut, copy, change, slide, dice.
We are stronger than five.
I've believed that since early 2017, my view has not changed.
Invest for success, not drain to doom.
I think the Vic government offer for the final goes away, then NSW will give a low ball offer for the final that RA can't refuse. Between that offer and 20 000 less tickets for the final. It would hurt the bottom line a lot.Fair enough for the Victorian government to come in with the stick, but they'll need to offer a carrot as the alternative if they want to get anywhere with it. It doesn't matter too much what RA might miss out on without the Rebels if they're not viable as an ongoing concern - if that can't be shown then there's no path forward that involves keeping them going.
I can't help but think RA would be a lot more keen on the "consortium" if the spokespoerson wasn't one of the former directors, and her father leading.
As an aside, they got a pretty favourable editorial in the Age yesterday as well.
Yeah, but that's all just the stick still. Even then it's a one off hit to the bottom line versus the ongoing drain of keeping the Rebels in business for a few years before they collapse again because the model isn't viable, likely leaving RA in a worse place. There's also the reality that the Vic government hasn't been bidding for these events out of the goodness of their heart or to support the Rebels (because it really doesn't help them that much), they've been bidding because it pulls visitors and tourism dollars into the state. From RA/World rugby's perspective they have to ask if the Rebels collapsing really changes that or are they just trying to play hardball/politics here?I think the Vic government offer for the final goes away, then NSW will give a low ball offer for the final that RA can't refuse. Between that offer and 20 000 less tickets for the final. It would hurt the bottom line a lot.
Not sure about that - if you are talking about the Age. The editorial is pretty much all opinion (as it should be - that's what an editorial is)I've observed they've stuck to the fact of the issue,
There is a way forward. The consortium is a credible group that should be given the green light by Rugby Australia to get the Rebels back on a firmer financial footing. If needed, the state government, which until now has been hesitant to intervene, should step in to help bolster the club’s position.
And to make matters worse, if creditors – who are owed a total $23 million – vote against the proposal, Rebels directors could face personal liability of $16.8 million for the club’s losses. That would potentially result in an extended legal battle between the directors, Rugby Australia and creditors.
I can't help but think RA would be a lot more keen on the "consortium" if the spokesperson wasn't one of the former directors, and her father leading.
As an aside, they got a pretty favourable editorial in the Age yesterday as well.
. Nor have I heard anyone on Stan advocating for cutting the Rebels. I can't see Stan would be happy with one less team, especially in a city of 7 million potential customers.
He has since his fox days, but this year has not mentioned it. Stan team has probably been told your employer does not want to cut teams, they pay your wage so don't mention it.Steven holies for last few years has been championing retraction.
has never mentioned rebels by name but I have heard him make the case for cutting a team or 2