Picture: stock
The Melbourne Rebels have officially been axed from the 2025 Super Rugby Women’s competition.
Rugby Australia (RA) confirmed the decision months after the men’s team had gone into administration and was axed after their season ended.
RA says the 2025 competition will feature four Australian teams – NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds, ACT Brumbies, Western Force – and the Drua Women from Fiji.
The Rebels decision means a revised competition structure will have to be announced.
A RA statement says they tried to keep the Rebels women’s side running but could not find the financial support that they, or Rugby Victoria, needed.
That process has now been completed and did not identify a financially viable option for either RA or Rugby Victoria to sustain the program in 2025.
RA says it is “deeply committed” to rugby in Victoria and will continue to fund Rugby Victoria. They will also look at helping players from Victoria join the other five teams.
The Rebels Women finished second last in this season with one win from five games, ahead of the Reds Women on bonus points tally.
TRANS-TASMAN CLASH
Meanwhile, a new-look Qld Reds Women’s side will take on NZ Universities side at Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday, October 12.
The Reds Development XV will be coached by Damon Virtue, from the Super Rugby Women’s Reds coaching team.
Super Rugby Reds Women’s head coach Andrew Fraser will assess the players from the sidelines.
“Having a match at this time of the season to look at our player stocks is ideal,” Fraser says.
“The trans-Tasman rivalry will be there for sure.
“It’s great to see women’s teams undertaking tours and we welcome the NZ Unis team on their first for a wonderful afternoon of rugby.”
- The Wallaroos are due to take on South Africa in their WXV2 clash at Cape Town early Saturday morning AEST.
