Fight for survival: Rebels coach calls on Melburnians to get behind team

Melbourne coach Kevin Foote believes two things can help the financially-stricken Super Rugby Pacific side mount a case for survival – winning and crowds.

The Rebels have had little of both in recent seasons but will attempt to rectify both come Friday night in their round one match against the ACT Brumbies.

Tickets for the contest were set to finally go on sale on Monday afternoon after Rugby Australia (RA) reached an agreement with the venue operators of AAMI Park.

With the club in administration and carrying debts of more than $20 million, RA had to renegotiate with the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust (MOPT) – which oversees the ground – as well as caterers believed to be among the parties owed money.

Foote urged rugby fans in Melbourne to get behind the team.

“We’re really hoping that we get a good crowd ,” Foote said ahead of Monday training.

“The boys have trained well, had two great trial games and a big crowd at the stadium would be really special for us.

“It’s five days (away), so let’s get behind it and we will be playing a brand of rugby that people love to watch so get down.”

RA is expected to make a call on the future of the ailing club as soon as next month with chief executive Phil Waugh saying that on-field results will factor into the decision.

Foote acknowledged that winning could only help their case for survival.

“As a young coach, you probably don’t speak about winning as much you say process, process, but winning is important and talking about winning is important,” he said.

“It’s not lost on us, but we understand that there’s obviously a long season to go … we do speak about winning and it is important and given where the club’s at, it’ll definitely help.”

Long-time chief executive Baden Stephenson was among 10 administrative staff laid off last week and Foote said they were determined to make them “proud”.

He said while the off-field situation was distracting they were using it to galvanise the squad for the season ahead.

“As Baden left we said to him this 2024 season and what we want to create as is about him, so we’re now pretty focused on the rugby,” Foote said.

“We’re going to look to make Baden and everybody else who has been part of this journey really proud.

“We want to live up to our potential – we’re saying it’s probably the strongest Rebels team that we’ve ever assembled and they’re fit and ready to go so lets focus on that.”