Melbourne Rebels CEO Baden Stephenson and nine other members of the Super Rugby club’s administrative staff have been made redundant, according to a media report.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the team’s coaches have been put on four-month contracts to see out the 2024 season.

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The news broke on the day the competition was launched in New Zealand.

The Herald reported “administrators PricewaterhouseCoopers began the process of winding up the Rebels on Tuesday by terminating the employment of all staff members, excluding players (given Rugby Australia is a party to their contracts).

“Rugby Australia subsequently put a small number of administrative staff and the Rebels’ high-performance staff, including Kevin Foote’s coaching team, on new short-term contracts that will run to the end of the season in June. “

Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh, who called Rebels skipper and Wallaby Rob Leota “Trevor” during a speech at the Super Rugby launch, declined to comment on the state of the Rebels. Waugh has gone to Melbourne from New Zealand and will address the club’s commercial and high performance departments on Thursday.

Stephenson has been the club’s CEO since 2017.

The Rebels were placed in voluntary administration this month amidst reports they owed up to $20 million in debts, including to the Australian Taxation Office and the Melbourne and Olympic Park Trust.

Auditors from PwC appointed to investigate the club’s finances revealed the Rebels owe $11.6 million to the Tax Office, $5.7 million to board members, and $2.8 million to suppliers – which include sponsors that paid their fees upfront.

Adding to the list of debts is $1.1 million in unpaid stadium fees, $720,000 owed to the State Revenue Office and $250,000 in superannuation owed to employees.

On Monday, administrators said the club has just $17,300 in the bank, with assets consisting of office furniture, gym equipment and two cars.