Rebels now under Rugby Australia

The chairman of the Melbourne Rebels, Paul Docherty, has stepped down from the embattled Super Rugby club, with Rugby Australia forced to step in and take over the running of the franchise after it fell into administration.

Rugby Australia confirmed on Tuesday that the rugby union club had entered voluntary administration, one month after The Australian Financial Review revealed it was struggling to pay its tax bills and stadium fees. PwC has been appointed administrator, while Rugby Australia is taking advice from Deloitte.

The club is the latest in a string of companies linked to Docherty, a Melbourne businessman who runs BRC Capital, to have collapsed.

Rebels chief executive Baden Stephenson confirmed Docherty was no longer the chairman of the club.

“With the organisation going into administration, Rugby Australia are currently working on the structure moving forward, which is yet to be determined,” he said.

Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said the Rebels would compete in the Super Rugby season, which begins on February 24. “As custodians of the game, we are determined to ensure that Rugby Australia is making responsible decisions for a sustainable and successful future.

“We will work with the Rebels and the relevant stakeholders to that end,” he said yesterday morning.

Stephenson said the decision to enter voluntary administration was made after the completion of an external report by Wexted. He said the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and reduced funding payments made it difficult for the club to continue to operate. “On Monday evening (the board) made the decision,” he said.

“I am confident that we can navigate through this period in consultation with RA and that there will be a strong future for rugby in 2024.”