For the first time in the club’s history, men’s and women’s Rebels teams will compete alongside each other at the upcoming Brisbane Global Rugby Tens.
The Rebels are one of four teams confirmed by the competition’s organisers on Friday afternoon to contest the upgraded women’s tournament in February in Brisbane.
The Rebels will face-off against Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT Brumbies.
“We’re thrilled that the Rebels will be represented across both the men’s and women’s competitions at the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens and aligns with our wider rugby strategy,” Melbourne Rebels CEO Baden Stephenson said.
“Women’s and girl’s rugby is the fastest growing competition in Victoria so we’re pleased that more representative opportunities to participate on the national stage are being established.
“The action packed weekend at the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens just got bigger and better with the introduction of the women’s competition this year and we can’t wait to see our Rebels play.”
Total female participation in Victoria increased by 78 per cent in 2016 off the back of the growth of Sevens rugby and now accounts for 24 per cent of total participation in the state.
“Women’s sport – and women’s rugby in particular – is riding a wave in Australia and it is great that this tournament can showcase that,” Brisbane Global Rugby Tens chief executive Rachael Carroll said.
The Brisbane Global Rugby Tens confirmed that the men’s competition will feature all nine Australian and New Zealand Super Rugby teams, plus Section Paloise (Pau) from France’s Top 14 competition, Japan’s Panasonic Wild Knights and Fiji’s national team.
The men’s draw will now feature three pools of four teams, meaning there will be no need for the crossover matches that were a feature of this year’s 14-team draw.
The four women’s teams will play a full round robin followed by a final between the top two teams in the group.
The 2018 tournament takes place on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 February, with play beginning in the afternoon and continuing into the evening.
Teams contesting the 2018 Brisbane Global Rugby Tens
Australia
Queensland Reds
New South Wales Waratahs
Brumbies
Melbourne Rebels
New Zealand
Chiefs*
Blues
Crusaders
Hurricanes
Highlanders
* defending champions
International
Section Paloise (Pau), France
Panasonic Wild Knights, Japan
Fiji
Women
Queensland
New South Wales
Melbourne Rebels
Brumbies
