Rebels cash woes affecting Super Rugby preparations: Leota

Melbourne Rebels captain Rob Leota said Wednesday that the financial uncertainty around the club was a distraction ahead of the Super Rugby season but pledged his team would “keep rolling”.

The debt-laden Rebels went into voluntary administration last month and Rugby Australia said it would work to ensure both Melbourne’s men’s and women’s teams would be able to field sides in 2024.

However the future of the Rebels could reportedly be decided by early next month, according to Australian media.

The Rebels are scheduled to start their Super Rugby Pacific season at home to the ACT Brumbies on February 23.

“It’s a tough situation,” Leota told reporters at the Super Rugby Pacific 2024 launch in Auckland.

“The biggest challenge at the moment is the way we apply ourselves at training, to control the things we can.

“We know there are obviously people in the background that are working on that situation.

“The message from them is to keep ourselves ready for round one and train hard.”

The Australia loose forward admitted it was tough to keep motivated when livelihoods were uncertain.

“We’re all human and it’s all right to have down times, but for us, it’s about our attitude towards keeping our minds on a common goal and that’s having a successful season for the Rebels,” he said, adding that the situation was galvanising the team.

“It’s hard, but you have to keep rolling.

“You have two options: throw in the towel or choose how you react and have a crack.”

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AFP

(NAMPA / AFP)