Rebels players feared the worst for months and spent nine days grieving, but it did nothing to lessen the hammer blow of the final siren of the final Super Rugby match.
The distraught players could not hold back their tears as they realized that losing the quarter finals to the Hurricanes would cost them their club and their jobs.
While the Rebels have had to face speculation about their demise all season, the bad news was finally delivered cruelly nine days ago, just hours before the team was due to fly to Fiji.
They became the first Rebels team to reach the final, and after a strong effort in the first half against the top-of-the-table Hurricanes, the Kiwi side outplayed them but fought their way to the finish.
Rebels’ Filipo Daugunu and Lachie Anderson react after the final whistle. (Photo credit: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
After the cameras panned to the defeated Rebels, Wallaby great Tim Horan said:
“We put so much energy and emotion into making the game that it ended up being a huge disappointment.
“They should be very proud of the hard work they have put in, not just this year but over the past 14 years.”
Former Rebels skipper Brad Wilkin’s voice broke in tears as he spoke to Stan Sport after the game.
“It’s actually a sad time to realize that the club is over,” Wilkin said.
“A lot of people have invested a lot in this club. A lot of effort went into it. And I couldn’t be more proud of the group that stayed together this season. I’m really proud to be a part of this team.”
There was destruction everywhere, from long-time Rebels to first-year reps like Test prop Taniela Tupou.
Rebels coach Kevin Foote hugs Ryan Louwrens. (Photo credit: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
‘You’ll probably see the importance of the connections you can have on and off the field,’ Wilkin said.
“If everyone agrees and plays for a common purpose, good results can be achieved.
“It’s not clear yet where it will go. I’ll just try to bring the experience I’ve gained over the years. We had great coaches from whom I learned a lot. So I couldn’t be more grateful to the staff and coaches we have had.”
Former Wallaby Cam Shepherd told Wilkin he was impressed with how the Rebels took to their situation.
“You never turned on each other. You have never gone to the press and talked about your frustrations or criticized anyone else,” Shepherd said.
“As Australians, we are very proud of you representing Australia and Victoria.
“It was quite inspiring to see how you guys kept your chin up, fought again this year, made it to the finals and continued to make us all proud.”
Rebels winger Lachie Anderson also struggled with emotional moments.
“It’s pretty vivid, to be honest,” he said. “We talked about it a lot during the week. We’ve been talking about it all year.
“We know we have a loyal base of supporters in Victoria and I think we saw that through the number of people who traveled here tonight.
“We talked about putting on a performance that the entire state could be proud of. I think we did. We came out punching tonight. Yes, it’s a pretty tight group, but as you might expect, there are quite a few boys hurting at the moment.”
Anderson, who has been with the Rebels for five years, issued a call for Australian rugby not to abandon Victoria.
The Rebels’ Carter Gordon and the Hurricanes’ Brett Cameron compete for a loose ball. (Photo credit: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
“I think it will be a huge help to kids who want to play rugby. “They live in Victoria,” he said.
“We have some great bases, especially the Pacific Islander base in Victoria. The kids there want to grow up to be Melbourne Rebels.
“It’s really important that we continue to invest in these pathways and children, whether in schools or clubs. If we keep them, we won’t lose them. Because we have a lot of special players and special supporters in this state.”
Shepherd said it will be tough on the players now that Shaw is packing up and leaving town.
“It’s difficult for a lot of people, mainly the performing group and people close to it,” Shepherd said.
“Reality is setting in and it will be difficult to predict what the next few weeks will bring for these people.
“You will no longer attend training on Mondays. You’re not doing the usual things that revolve around weekly preparation and games. “It will be difficult, but they certainly did themselves proud this afternoon, so they should be proud of that.”
Some players have already been linked with moves to the rest of the franchise, but that activity is set to ramp up in the coming weeks.
Some people will get a call in the next few days to report for duty aboard Joe Schmidt’s Wallaby train.
