The ownership saga surrounding the fifth Australian Super Rugby team has finally been resolved, with the Australian Rugby Union handing control of the franchise to the Melbourne Rebels consortium.
An agreement was announced on Tuesday between the ARU and the group headed by business identity Harold Mitchell.
Melbourne will join an expanded 15-team Super competition next year, when Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will all field five teams.
The Melbourne franchise will be based at the new 31,000-capacity rectangular stadium nearing completion in the city’s sporting precinct.
Tuesday’s announcement brought to an end several months of uncertainty about which interested parties would be involved in the Melbourne franchise, which will receive some loan funding from the ARU.
“Inevitably, these things take a while, but I wouldn’t say it’s been tortuous, I think it’s been challenging,” ARU chief executive John O’Neill told reporters on Tuesday.
“But the outcome we’ve reached with Harold and his team is a good one for rugby, a good one for the ARU and a good one for rugby in Melbourne.”
O’Neill said the ownership structure of the Melbourne franchise met the criteria set out by the ARU along with the funding arrangement and capital requirements.
O’Neill said the Victorian Rugby Union was not an equity partner in the Melbourne franchise, but described it as “a stakeholder”.
He said the ARU would have no more say in the running of the Melbourne team than it had in any of the existing Australian Super franchises.
Mitchell politely declined to disclose any details about pending major appointments including a coach and a chief executive.
“We are not too far away, of course we have been doing plenty of work, but I’m not about to announce it this morning,” Mitchell told reporters.
The ARU on Monday announced the Melbourne franchise would be allowed to recruit up to 10 foreign players in its formative years.
AndyS
Guest
Subi capacity is 43,500. First match against the Brumbies drew 37,037.
Brett McKay
Guest
Siva, wouldn't have been a sell-out, as they played at Subiaco from day one. I thought their first crowd was high 30Ks?? Wikipedia says "On 10 February the Western Force made their 2006 season rugby debut against the Brumbies at a near sold out Subiaco Oval in Perth, losing 25-10.", but I can't recall the Force ever getting near a Subiaco capacity crowd (which is up near 60K??). WCR, or any WA Roarers out there??
Jay
Guest
If the first game is going to be a sell-out, play it at Ethihad.
Siva Samoa
Guest
Lets get ready tooo rumble. The first game will be a sellout for sure. Does anyone know if this was the case wth Western Forces first game ?