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The Melbourne Rebels are now part of Australian rugby history, with the club officially coming to an end after losing to the Hurricanes during the 2024 Super Rugby quarter-final.
Many of their players have been picked for other teams.
Andrew Kellaway went back to the Waratahs, Filipo Daugunu, Josh Canham, Lachie Anderson and Matt Gibbon have gone to Queensland and Carter Gordon has departed for the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL.
The axing of the Rebels was expected after the news of the team going into administration broke earlier in the year.
But with the axing, there still comes the question of who takes their slot in the schedule of the British and Irish Lions Tour.
Currently, the Rebels are still slated to face the British and Irish Lions on July 22, 2025.
Of course, this is no longer possible as the Rebels no longer exist. So who takes the spot with the Melbourne side out of the picture?
There are two alternatives that present themselves here.
Most likely, none of the Super Rugby teams will face the British and Irish Lions twice so the options lie with the Wallabies and the Invitational Australia and New Zealand XV can have a second test against them.
The Wallabies could apply to play four tests during the tour instead of the usual three, or the “ANZAC XV”.
The latter is most definitely the likely option as World Rugby is unlikely to give a national team another test during the tour since it occurs in July and the other national teams have three tests in July as well.
The Wallabies won’t get an additional test to face the British and Irish Lions, so a second game combining the Aussies and Kiwis would be the most logical move.
The “ANZAC XV” last made an appearance against the British and Irish Lions in 1989, which they lost by four points.
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
The 1989 team was coached by Bob Dwyer with the team featuring Nick Farr-Jones, Richard Loe, Michael Lynagh, Michael Brewer and John Gallagher.
Having two “ANZAC XV” tests might bring in quite a profit for Rugby Australia. Imagine having fan favourite Wallabies and All Blacks playing on the same side instead of against each other.
It would bring in the profits that Rugby Australia would be looking for since having some of the most beloved and best players in the Southern Hemisphere would bring in quite the payday.
It would also bring in more money since they wouldn’t be seeing it once, they would be seeing it twice.
This is an interesting position for Rugby Australia to be in regarding the tour next year and it’s up to them to make the right decision.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.