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What a shame, coz they really love their sport and all...
just thought I'd get in first
Melbourne on chopping block
By Bret Harris
November 17, 2007
AFTER missing a Super 14 licence two years ago, Melbourne is now in danger of losing its team in the Australian Rugby Championship.
The Australian Rugby Union is reviewing the inaugural championship, and Melbourne is believed to be under pressure to remain in the national competition for financial reasons.
The ARU is looking to reduce expenditure for the ARC, which cost $9 million to operate this year, with a loss of $5 million.
One of the key discussions at a commission meeting next month will be which teams stay and which go.
While the future of Melbourne Rebels is unclear, the other seven teams - Canberra Vikings, Western Sydney Rams, Sydney Fleet, Perth Spirit, Ballymore Tornadoes, East Coast Aces and Central Coast Rays - seem likely to continue.
Asked whether the Rebels would be dropped from the ARC, tournament director Peter Rowles said: "Not at this point. There has been discussion with Victoria about the future of the Rebels, but in terms of dumping them, no. The future of all the teams is up for grabs as part of the review process."
The loss of the Rebels would be a body blow to Melbourne, which was beaten by Perth to base Australia's fourth Super 14 team.
The Rebels exceeded all expectations on the field by reaching the final of the competition, losing to the Rays.
But there is an argument that the ARU will save a lot of money by not having a team based in Melbourne. There is a significant cost involved in flying teams to Melbourne and accommodating them.
Unlike the other seven teams in the competition, the Rebels imported their coaching staff and players from interstate, mainly NSW and Queensland. Their head coach Bill Millard earns around $150,000 a year.
The Rebels had to pay coaches and players relocation fees and accommodation costs.
Another cost-cutting plan is to fly teams in and out of cities on the day of the game to save on accommodation, which happens in the Heineken Cup in Europe.
"From a rugby point of view it was fantastic," Rowles said.
"We have to work out how to run it more cost effectively."