https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/s...36dea997b9b6ae
But the ownership change — which has the backing of the Victorian government — was questioned by the ARU, who have to sign off on any such transfer.
The ARU said in a statement they were not informed of the ownership change.
“The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has tonight received confirmation from a third party that ownership of the Melbourne Rebels had transferred from Imperium Group to the Victorian Rugby Union (VRU),” the statement said.
“The Melbourne Rebels have an obligation under their Participation Deed to inform ARU of any change of ownership. To date, ARU has received no such communication from the Melbourne Rebels despite recent attempts to confirm their position. ARU is urgently seeking to confirm the terms on which this transfer occurred.”
How the change of ownership changes the Super Rugby downsizing saga remains to be seen but Cox’s departure would significantly reduce the chance of the Rebels being cut.
The ARU and Rugby WA engaged in arbitration hearing this week over the governing body’s legal right to cut the Western Force from the competition next year. A decision is expected next week.
If Rugby WA win, the Rebels would no doubt come back into the reckoning as a possibility to be shut down.
But given Cox and Imperium have now transferred their shareholding to the VRU, the ARU can no longer enter any negotiation to buy back the Rebels licence with the private owners.
Whether the Imperium-VRU transfer requires ARU approval to be binding is another question, however, It is believed Victorian rugby advice is that the ARU can’t withhold their approval unreasonably.