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Super Rugby final may be too expensive for Rebels to host
By Online Editors
The Melbourne Rebels may reportedly be unable to afford to host a Super Rugby home final if they top the Australian conference.
The currently sit a single point behind the Brumbies in fifth place with five games of the regular season left to play.
If they finish atop the table and earn a home final, the Australian reports, the Rebels will have to pay the visiting side about $75,000.
But chief executive Baden Stephenson denies the club are on the brink of insolvency, despite the recent departure of their chief financial officer.
"There is no doubt that things are becoming increasingly fairly tight, but I’m extremely lucky that I have an extremely supportive and proactive board," he told The Australian.
"We had our monthly meeting yesterday (Wednesday) and we have some plans in place and we are working away. We are confident of what we have in the short term. The longer-term, post-2021, no one can crystal ball that."
Melbourne play the Waratahs, whose finals hopes are hanging by a thread, on Friday night with NSW star Kurtley Beale challenging Rebels skipper Dane Haylett-Petty, both expected to audition for the Wallabies' fullback jersey recently vacated by Israel Folau.
- AAP
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Hard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
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