The Melbourne Rebels may reportedly be unable to afford to host a Super Rugby home final if they top the Australian conference.
The currently sit a single point behind the ACT Brumbies in fifth place with five games of the regular season left to play.
If they finish atop the table and earn a home final, the Australian reports, the Rebels will have to pay the visiting side about $75,000.
But chief executive Baden Stephenson denies the club are on the brink of insolvency, despite the recent departure of their chief financial officer.
“There is no doubt that things are becoming increasingly fairly tight, but I’m extremely lucky that I have an extremely supportive and proactive board,” he told The Australian.
“We had our monthly meeting yesterday (Wednesday) and we have some plans in place and we are working away. We are confident of what we have in the short term. The longer-term, post-2021, no one can crystal ball that.”
Melbourne play the Waratahs, who’s finals hopes are hanging by a thread, on Friday night with NSW star Kurtley Beale challenging Rebels skipper Dane Haylett-Petty, both expected to audition for the Wallabies’ fullback jersey recently vacated by Israel Folau.
robel
Roar Pro
An eastern stater claiming to know something about the Perth rugby scene.
piru
Roar Rookie
What I do not get is the WA folk going for Melbourne. You pack of pricks. You should not have gotten in ahead of Melbourne in the first place and when given the chance you fumbled. You didn’t show up. What, you expected all those South African expats just to rock up. Well... That's just not true at all.
Akari
Roar Rookie
It won't happen, Paul. "A fire that could build a Sydney rivalry, which could be the tonic for more supporters. Look WSW, and GWS Giants. They embrace the town rivalry. Remember, it’s not Western Sydney who’s your “old enemy”." But, don't you have enough players and supporters to make up a Western Sydney team to compete against the eastern Suburbs Tahs?
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Fair enough. Have saffa teams agree that both home and away games with brumbies are played in Perth. Not likely but not impossible.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Heh clap, don't forget to take ya penicillin eh..
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Has anyone looked at clynes bank accounts recently, or his family...
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Tis alright Piru, he confused cos he has got the clap..
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Where did that $30 mil go that clyne gave to his mate ...
andrewM
Roar Rookie
Must have been a lot - I think they're still counting - still says tba.
andrewM
Roar Rookie
People Power - it's what Perth had in 2004, 2017 and 2019. It's what won the bid and why the Force are still going strong. Something that to my eyes the Rebels supporters have never shown
andrewM
Roar Rookie
There were a lot of cheap tickets, free for registered juniors as well I suspect, but a lot of season members too like myself paid standard fare - I have no problems with that. Clyne the Clown didn't make an appearance at half time sadly - he doesn't book shows west of Adelaide apparently.
Kiwikrs
Roar Rookie
Without SR where are you going to get the money to pay all these players? How are you going to retain international level players only playing in a national comp? Look at 5/8 for example. A position with the least depth. It still has 3 candidates vying for 2 SR teams. Who gets relegated to only playing NRC or playing second fiddle riding the pine. Unfortunately despite best intentions this would be shrinking to success and shooting Australian rugby in the foot. I do like the idea of building the NRC somehow but feel Au need to retain SR teams. Keeping them financially viable remains the key though.
AndyS
Guest
Sure, amazing how they are all part of the club when it comes to paying for other people's kids to play rugby...
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
I'd say mediocre rather than poor, to be fair. They weren't exactly the Sunwolves . . .
Wise Old Elf
Guest
Storm are bankrolled by News Ltd, everyone knows that and they lose plenty of money. Have they grown NRL in Melbourne? There is a following, but noone plays the sport that I know of. Ice hockey and Quidditch are more played. Both rugby codes need to get together and merge. This lunacy must end. The sport is like a headless chook that continues to bumble along.
Victorian
Guest
It was a good decision to keep Melbourne, but it was a shocking decision to turf Perth. Surely there was a way? Maybe they are paying the top end talent too much. What I do not get is the WA folk going for Melbourne. You pack of pricks. You should not have gotten in ahead of Melbourne in the first place and when given the chance you fumbled. You didn't show up. What, you expected all those South African expats just to rock up. For mine the whole competition is on death's row. It is a very, very expensive way of developing test players and clearly not popular with the public. Thankfully in Aussie Rules we did not have the state of origin become what is now AFL and get rid of all the great clubs that built the game up. Possibly a lesson for the union brigade. Failing all that you might have to ask the NRL to step in and field teams on your behalf.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@ Wise one While I agree with you Perth had a great chance and totally blew it with 12 yrs of poor performances and crowd numbers that does not mean they should just be forgotten cos they're on the west coast of Australia. The Force had to go imo but WA still should be fully supported by an inclusive RA. That includes yearly Test matches in Perth even though when the Springboks play there it's almost like a home game for them. It would be nice if Perth rugby fans did actually fully support the Wallabies for a change :)
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
Yeah same as in Perth except Melbourne's population is x4 bigger :)
jack
Roar Rookie
Now if only Vic Rugby Union would be so kind and publish their 2018 Financials too we could take a squiz at them
piru
Roar Rookie
You have a lot to say about a subject you know very little about, don't you?