Super Rugby Pacific round-up
They face a considerable challenge in the quarter-finals though, with the Hurricanes having picked the Blues' pocket to finish top of the table.
Following a difficult run of form for the Rebels in the back end of the league season, no doubt influenced by the five months of an increasing sense of financial dread that was finally confirmed this week, they were given a reprieve by Western Force, whose failure to win their last two games ensured the Rebels' strong mid-season run will be rewarded with a first-ever playoff run in the club's 14th and final season.
However, having suffered six losses on the bounce, their quarterfinal away to the table-topping Hurricanes could be a gruesome end to the club's life. They finished off the league season with a 40-19 loss to Fijian Drua, a result that deserves a significant amount of perspective given the players were informed of their liquidation just before their flight to Fiji, with Rugby Australia deeming the rescue package proposed to save the club too optimistic, with insufficient details included to explain how the club could repay the $23m owed to creditors.
Speaking before the game, Rebels coach Kevin Foote said: "[The room was] deadly silent, just absolute devastation, noone said a word. We've really got the opportunity to finish strong ... we're going to hold our heads high and have a crack."
Denne historien er fra June 02, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra June 02, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.
South America look to keep on building
AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.
Scarratt excited by new pathway
ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.
Baxter: I want to make things better
ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.
New England group will cause uncertainty
SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.
Galthie turns his sights to the future
FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.
