The Melbourne Rebels are actually a part of Australian rugby historical past, with the membership formally coming to an finish after dropping to the Hurricanes throughout the 2024 Tremendous Rugby quarter-final.
Lots of their gamers have been picked for different groups.
Andrew Kellaway went again to the Waratahs, Filipo Daugunu, Josh Canham, Lachie Anderson and Matt Gibbon have gone to Queensland and Carter Gordon has departed for the Gold Coast Titans within the NRL.
The axing of the Rebels was anticipated after the information of the group going into administration broke earlier within the 12 months.
However with the axing, there nonetheless comes the query of who takes their slot within the schedule of the British and Irish Lions Tour.
Presently, the Rebels are nonetheless slated to face the British and Irish Lions on July 22, 2025.
In fact, that is not attainable because the Rebels not exist. So who takes the spot with the Melbourne aspect out of the image?
There are two alternate options that current themselves right here.
Almost definitely, not one of the Tremendous Rugby groups will face the British and Irish Lions twice so the choices lie with the Wallabies and the Invitational Australia and New Zealand XV can have a second take a look at towards them.
The Wallabies might apply to play 4 assessments throughout the tour as a substitute of the standard three, or the “ANZAC XV”.
The latter is most positively the seemingly possibility as World Rugby is unlikely to offer a nationwide group one other take a look at throughout the tour because it happens in July and the opposite nationwide groups have three assessments in July as properly.
The Wallabies received’t get a further take a look at to face the British and Irish Lions, so a second recreation combining the Aussies and Kiwis could be probably the most logical transfer.
The “ANZAC XV” final made an look towards the British and Irish Lions in 1989, which they misplaced by 4 factors.
(Picture by David Rogers/Getty Pictures)
The 1989 group was coached by Bob Dwyer with the group that includes Nick Farr-Jones, Richard Loe, Michael Lynagh, Michael Brewer and John Gallagher.
Having two “ANZAC XV” assessments would possibly usher in fairly a revenue for Rugby Australia. Think about having fan favorite Wallabies and All Blacks enjoying on the identical aspect as a substitute of towards one another.
It will carry within the income that Rugby Australia could be searching for since having a few of the most beloved and greatest gamers within the Southern Hemisphere would usher in fairly the payday.
It will additionally usher in extra money since they wouldn’t be seeing it as soon as, they’d be seeing it twice.
That is an fascinating place for Rugby Australia to be in concerning the tour subsequent 12 months and it’s as much as them to make the fitting resolution.
