Melbourne Rebels 2025 and beyond...

[Strewthcobber]

Looks like WU is now in its death throws and may end up not being part of next year's A-League.

Players aren't getting paid, they aren't allowed to make any transfers, have no coach and can't find a new owner who will get approved

A-League still waiting on Western sale documents

A-League boss Stephen Conroy says the competition has yet to receive a formal takeover bid for crisis-stricken Western United, who are facing fresh breach notices from players for unpaid wages.

www.espn.com.au

 

[Tex]

That's a surprise to no-one.

 

[oztimmay]

Quick Legal update.
Another week, another delay in returning the PEP subpoena. Pushed another week.
Since first ordered on 19 March, the return of the PEP subpoena has been delayed/deferred 10 times.
This can't be normal behaviour.

Mediation date has been pushed back to 24 October 2025.

 

[Rob42]

Thanks for the updates oztimmay. For those only checking on this occasionally, what's the PEP subpoena?

 

[oztimmay]

PEP Capital are one of the parties providing information to MRRU (Rebels Board) to support their case.

PEP is Pacific Equity Partners - the company who loaned 80 mil to RA.

 

[Strewthcobber]

"Delays" are likely stuff like RA and PEP claiming a lot of the info is commercial-in-confidence or privileged, not relevant or similar, and they will be putting arguments to the judge that Rebels shouldn't have access to some/part/ all of the documents that have been provided.

And then Rebles will be putting forward arguments as to why they should. etc etc

 

[oztimmay]

It's my thinking too. There will be stuff that RA don't want the Rebels to see; either it's commercial in confidence, or highly damaging to RA's case. Thinking a bit of both. The fact the listings are schedule for 2:15 pm but usually updated around 9:30 am on the day of listing. It's like they were not going to be ready or even planned to return the subpoena.

Perhaps even a shell game with companies; originally the subpoena was directed to a different PEP entity.

Fascinating to me that MRRU are not objecting to the delayed subpoena return, or at least noting evident on t he administrative listing. Perhaps they are playing nice during the Lions tour, or just giving RA enough rope.

Also looked for any other listings involving PEP or RA, in case there was a parallel case to block the release of information to MRRU. Nothing that I can see listed on the Federal register.

Events thus far Indicate this is going to be a long drawn-out argument over access to these documents.

 

[Dctarget]

Nice to see Rob Leota turn out for Melb Uni yesterday

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

That's awesome. So much happier to hear than then see him turn out for Easts in Sydney with the rest of the Tahs.

Side note: Results didn't go there way but some big units out there for the Vic Schools at the ASRU Champs on the Sunshine Coast. I hope even if it's some Prem Clubs they get brought into Colts systems. Raw talent is apparent for a few of them.

 

[oztimmay]

Small update on the MRRU legal matter.

PEP Capital finally complied the Subpoena and submitted all requested information to the Court. It was first requested 14 February, so only take 5 months to complete.

As there were costs involved, I can only deduce it took significant effort to produce the information requested. MRRU paid PEP to comply with the Subpoena. Given the MRRU team were prepared to wait and pay for it, I can only imagine their satisfaction in the information they've discovered.

Admin listing here: https://comcourts.gov.au/file/Federal/P/VID1059/2024/3995751/event/32373953/document/2541083

 

[swingpass]

That's awesome. So much happier to hear than then see him turn out for Easts in Sydney with the rest of the Tahs.

Side note: Results didn't go there way but some big units out there for the Vic Schools at the ASRU Champs on the Sunshine Coast. I hope even if it's some Prem Clubs they get brought into Colts systems. Raw talent is apparent for a few of them.

there has always been talent in Vic junior rugby, prior to the Rebels that talent went interstate or occasionally overseas. The large Pacifika diaspora down here provide a rich crop, the Uni Colts team at one stage had Uelesee, Leota, Fereti Sa'aga and Stacey Ili. Sans Rebels some (most?) will now go to league, others lost after school, a few will stay in Oz but a few will go OS (France presumably).

 

[Dctarget]

there has always been talent in Vic junior rugby, prior to the Rebels that talent went interstate or occasionally overseas. The large Pacifika diaspora down here provide a rich crop, the Uni Colts team at one stage had Uelesee, Leota, Fereti Sa'aga and Stacey Ili. Sans Rebels some (most?) will now go to league, others lost after school, a few will stay in Oz but a few will go OS (France presumably).

I'm in a very pointless debate with someone on Reddit on whether VIC or WA produces more Wallabies/Test players.

 

[oztimmay]

A certain star Lions player spent some time at his old school today, to the delight of it's Rugby community. Expect it to be out on Lions socials in the next few days.

 

[Slim 293]

A certain star Lions player spent some time at his old school today, to the delight of it's Rugby community. Expect it to be out on Lions socials in the next few days.

There's so many, it's kind of hard to guess which one...

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

A

there has always been talent in Vic junior rugby, prior to the Rebels that talent went interstate or occasionally overseas. The large Pacifika diaspora down here provide a rich crop, the Uni Colts team at one stage had Uelesee, Leota, Fereti Sa'aga and Stacey Ili. Sans Rebels some (most?) will now go to league, others lost after school, a few will stay in Oz but a few will go OS (France presumably).

Quite a few will also go to Sydney Brisbane canberra
Open selection in super rugby would see a bunch go to NZ as well

 

[Upthemaroon!]

A

Quite a few will also go to Sydney Brisbane canberra
Open selection in super rugby would see a bunch go to NZ as well

A Super Rugby draft system would also give those guys a fairer chance of being identified I think

 

[Strewthcobber]

A Super Rugby draft system would also give those guys a fairer chance of being identified I think

Specifically forbidden under the RUPA+RA collective bargaining agreement

 

[Upthemaroon!]

Specifically forbidden under the RUPA+RA collective bargaining agreement

That's a shame. Just had a quick peak and it mentions "they will not, without the written consent of RUPA", so maybe if Waugh and NZR could convince them it would be for the best. But I agree with you, don't see it happening.

 

[Wilson]

That's a shame. Just had a quick peak and it mentions "they will not, without the written consent of RUPA", so maybe if Waugh and NZR could convince them it would be for the best. But I agree with you, don't see it happening.

I'm not sure it's a viable option for Rugby in Australia even if RUPA were to agree to it, at least not at any scale. It's very hard to run a draft unless you're the employer of choice for these players (by a fair margin), and we'd need to be out spending the NRL for entry level contracts for that to happen.

 

[zer0]

To say nothing of having to work across international borders. Imagine some poor 19 year old from rural northern Queensland being sent to Dunedin. RI-fucken-P.