The Rebels’ demise followed months of financial turmoil and culminated in voluntary administration early in the season. However, officials are not concerned, given RA is set for a major windfall next year as a result of a blockbuster British and Irish Lions series. More than 500,000 tickets are expected to be sold for the Lions tour, which runs from late June to early August. RA chief Phil Waugh has forecast a record $50 million surplus next year. In a statement, RA said: “One-off costs and investments associated with the reset in 2024 included the successful integration of the NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies ($10.3m), the costs associated with the voluntary administration and subsequent exit of the Melbourne Rebels from Super Rugby ($5.1m), servicing of the credit facility and depreciation charges ($9.4m), financial injections into women’s rugby (up $2.5m on prior year) and a 16 per cent uplift in Super Rugby funding for the Queensland Reds ($0.6m) and Western Force ($0.6m), as well as a $0.6m increase in Member Union Community Grant funding.