The Melbourne Rebels were kicked out of the Super Rugby Women’s Comp after RA ‘could not identify an economically viable alternative’.

Rugby Australia has confirmed the demise of the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby women’s team – four months after removing the men’s team from their competition.

After the Melbourne Rebels Rugby Union went into voluntary administration in January this year, the RA said it would investigate the feasibility of maintaining the Rebels women’s program.

“That process has now been completed and no financially viable option has been identified for the RA or Rugby Victoria to retain the program into 2025,” the RA said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The RA is deeply committed to rugby in Victoria and will continue to fund Rugby Victoria to support and grow community sport across the state and support the development and graduation of female talent.

“This responsibility will extend to paving the way for Victoria’s talented female players to join clubs competing in the Super Rugby Women’s competition.”

The 2025 competition will be contested by five teams – the NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds, ACT Brumbies, Western Force and Fijian Drua.