Tears as Melbourne Rebels play final game against Wellington Hurricanes, video, reaction, debt

The Wellington Hurricanes overcame a slow start to win their quarter-final 47-20 against the Melbourne Rebels, who farewelled the Super Rugby in fighting fashion.

The match, pitting the top-qualifying Hurricanes at home against the eighth-ranked Melbourne, was expected to be one-sided but the Rebels were competitive in what was the last match in their 14th and final season.

The debt-laden Rebels won’t return next year after Rugby Australia decided to shut down the club, which went into administration in January owing almost $23 million.

The Rebels kept the in-form Hurricanes scoreless for the first 25 minutes and only trailed 14-6 at the interval after conceding tries to prop Pasilio Tosi and winger Josh Moorby late in the opening half.

The home side took control of the contest after the resumption through tries to forwards Braydon Iose, Asafo Aumua and Devan Flanders.

Melbourne breathed life into the contest when winger Lachie Anderson crossed twice in quick succession following slick attacking forays.

However, they couldn’t score again and the Hurricanes crossed late through Du’Plessis Kirifi and Kini Naholo.

The Hurricanes’ fine season under new coach Clark Laidlaw will continue next week with a home semi-final.

Emotions were high as the weight of everything coming to an end started to dawn on players, families and supporters.

“It’s starting to hit the players,” Tim Horan said on Stan Sport’s coverage,

“It’s hitting the coaches and they’re going ‘Okay, this is real now’.

“You put so much energy and emotion into the build-up of games and at the end of it there’s this big let down now.

“They should be very proud, not of the result, but the effort they’ve put in not just this year but the last 14 years.”

Melbourne captain Rob Leota was disappointed with the outcome but said he was proud they’d become the first Rebels side to reach the play-offs in a full Super Rugby season.

“It was our goal from the start of the year to be the greatest Rebels team ever,” he said.

“We had high hopes to go further but you can’t give opportunities to a team like the Hurricanes.

“For this club, we hope we did everyone proud and hopefully we can see this team come back in the next couple of years.”

Brad Wilkin, meanwhile, told Stan Sport’s Nic McArdle after the match that it is a “sad time”.

“Just the realisation that the club is over,” he said.

“Like you said, a lot of guys, a lot of people, have invested a lot into this club. A lot of hard work has gone into it.

“I just can’t be more proud of the group staying together this season. Just really proud to be part of this team.”

Hurricanes back Jordie Barrett, whose linebreaks created two of his team’s seven tries, paid tribute to the Rebels.

“I want to acknowledge the Rebels as a franchise,” he said.

“Since joining Super Rugby, they’ve always been a joy to play against — players, staff and fans.

“So I wish all of them all the best in whatever direction they go.”