RA says it remains ‘deeply committed to rugby in Victoria’ as it axes Melbourne Rebels Women’s team

Rugby Australia has confirmed the demise of the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby Women’s team – four months after the men’s team was removed from their copetition.

After Melbourne Rebels Rugby Union went into voluntary administration in January this year, RA said it would investigate the viability of maintaining the Rebels women’s program.

“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 said in a statement on Wednesday.

“RA remains deeply committed to Rugby in Victoria and will continue to fund Rugby Victoria to support and grow the community game across the state and support the development and graduation of female talent.

“That responsibility will extend to formalising pathways for talented female players from Victoria to join the clubs competing in the Super Rugby Women’s competition.”

The 2025 competition will be contested by five teams – NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds, ACT Brumbies, Western Force and Fijian Drua.