The Melbourne Rebels have welcomed today’s announcement from Rugby Australia and Nine Entertainment Co which secures a more accessible and sustainable future for the sport across the country.
As part of the new broadcast model unveiled today, Super Rugby in 2021 will now complement its extensive international exposure with more domestic free to air coverage than ever. This includes the live Match of the Round on the Nine Network every Saturday night of the season.
Speaking following today’s announcement, Melbourne Rebels CEO remarked on a watershed moment for the sport.
“Rugby has always prided itself on being a game for all and now Super Rugby in 2021 and beyond can be watched by all Australians.”
“As a Club, we have worked very hard in recent years to improve our accessibility to our community, our partners and our members and this new broadcast model for all of Rugby will allow us to further broaden our reach domestically and abroad.
Melbourne is the sporting capital of the world and we love that we will now get the chance to show all Australians what Burn City rugby is all about.”
“We’re really proud that the Rebels have had 14 players graduate through our program to their Wallaby debuts and this new broadcast partnership ensures that tomorrow’s Rebels from all over Victoria can watch their heroes and follow in their footsteps.”
The first Rebel to have chartered that home-grown path of graduating through Victorian Rugby pathways, Super Rugby and onto the Wallabies is Jordan Uelese. Also speaking following today’s announcement Uelese was very excited for this next chapter.
“There’s such great momentum in our game right now and Rugby in Victoria is going from strength to strength. I know that the Wallabies have such a great following in Melbourne and now it’s great that more people will be able to watch and support the Rebels from next season. We want to inspire the next Hodgey or Marika to follow in our footsteps. Our first game back in Melbourne next year is going to be very, very special.”
Stephenson foreshadowed that more information regarding the exact make up of Super Rugby from 2021 is very close to being finalised.
“We are getting quite close to sharing the finer detail of our 2021 fixtures with our members and we can’t wait to get that announced. It’s been a long time since we’ve played in front of the Rebels Army and we are so excited to get back to the Stockade and make them proud in 2021.”
