They had their issues, but the Rebels developed a host of young Victorians and gave local clubs a path to the professional game. Victoria has punched above its weight for decades; according to Rugby Victoria, 39 current professional players were raised in the state. Rob Valetini, Harry Potter and Sione Tuipulotu (Lions) were the Victorians pushing for selection for Saturday night’s second Test between the Wallabies and the British and Irish Lions at the MCG in front of 90,000 fans. Two Victorians are in the Wallaroos squad ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in late August. But a year on from the Rebels’ demise, and with an energised rugby league adding clubs in the talent-rich outer suburbs, those who love “the game played in Heaven” despair about its future. “Our club has produced two Wallabies, two Wallaroos and two Australian sevens players plus a host of professional players,” Northern Panthers president Grant Wason said.