Jamie Pandaram

Relishing their role as the most frustrating team in Super Rugby Pacific, the Waratahs produced their finest performance of the season to trounce Fijian Drua and keep their slim finals hopes alive.

The Melbourne Rebels claim Rugby Australia kept them in the dark about plans to merge the club with Moana Pasifika, while financially favouring the NSW Waratahs and Brumbies, in their Federal Court trial.

Bombshell claims have been aired in the Federal Court that the Melbourne Rebels attempted to secure $10 million from the Victorian Government , which

Shock details have emerged about how then Victorian Government planned to secure the final four games of the 2027 Rugby World Cup for $10 million, money with which the Melbourne Rebels planned to pay their tax bill.

Former Rebels chairman Paul Docherty has admitted he entered an incorrect statement in his affidavit during the club's trial against Rugby Australia.

The Melbourne Rebels have admitted to missing multiple payments to the Australian Taxation Office under a set agreement.

Rugby Australia testified in court they did not consider the Melbourne Rebels as financially stricken in 2023, despite the club forecasting a deficit of nearly $6 million, while holding a tax debt of $8 million.

The Melbourne Rebels have dropped their “oppression” case against Rugby Australia , virtually rendering key aspects of the controversial Winning Rugby document they've relied on throughout proceedings as irrelevant.

Rugby Australia's barrister has described the Melbourne Rebels' court action as “a hopeless case” which was hurt by the decision by two board members not to give evidence.