'It's a sad time' — Melbourne Rebels bid teary farewell to Super Rugby

With the financially-stricken club given news of their axing by Rugby Australia, defeat to Hurricanes in Wellington signalled the end of the line

SAD FAREWELL: Melbourne Rebels players were in tears after the team's defeat in their last ever game after the Hurricanes and Melbourne Rebels fixture at the Sky Stadium on June 8th, 2024 in Wellington, New Zealand. Pic: James Foy/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Tears among the Rebels players have signalled the end for Melbourne, whose place in Super Rugby Pacific was brought to a close by a quarter-final loss to the Hurricanes. The Rebels were given almost no chance of upsetting the table-topping Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday, but held them to an eight-point margin at half-time on the back of some desperate defence.

That took its toll, with the home side piling on five second-half tries to post a 47-20 victory. Rebels winger Lachie Anderson scored a late double but the Hurricanes remained on track for the semi-finals.