Wallaby refused to play for Rebels against Reds over outstanding debt

 As Rugby Australia and the Melbourne Rebels sit down to discuss the debt-riddled Super Rugby franchise’s future, it can be revealed star recruit Filipo Daugunu missed last week’s loss to the Reds because of an outstanding debt owed to the outside back.

Officially, Daugunu, 29, missed the Rebels’ 53-26 loss to the Reds for “personal reasons”.

Unofficially, The Roar can reveal an outstanding $7,000 relocation debt owed to Daugunu forced the Wallaby’s hand to miss the match.

It’s believed Daugunu’s agent Damian McGregor-Lowndes gave the Super Rugby franchise until mid-Friday afternoon to settle the debt, but when it wasn’t lodged in time the Wallaby withdrew.

The issue surrounding the debt comes after the Rebels slipped into voluntary administration in late January.

Only days prior to that, Daugunu lodged his fee.

But when the Rebels fell into voluntary administration, Daugunu became a creditor.

While Rugby Australia is currently honouring the contracts of players and staff, Daugunu’s relocation fee sits outside his contract.

Recognising the can of worms that could be opened by paying Daugunu’s relocation fee, the governing body chose not to settle the fee.

That said, it’s understood RA presented several other options to try and come up with a temporary solution, including fast-tracking a later installment to resolve any cash-flow issues. It was turned down.

Daugunu, who featured for Australia A last year and has played seven Tests for the Wallabies, wasn’t sighted at the loss on Friday.

asingly featured in the midfield, also wasn’t present at training on Monday ahead of Friday’s match against the Hurricanes in Wellington. It’s understood he presented at training on Tuesday.

Filipo Daugunu has played seven Tests for the Wallabies since debuting in 2020. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

The back’s absence was felt against the Reds, with the Wallaby one of the side’s strongest over the ball.

Unable to slow the Reds’ ball down in the first half, the visitors scored five tries to a match-winning lead into half-time.

Such was the pace of the game that the Rebels replaced their starting props after 33 minutes, including mega-signing Taniela Tupou.

The messy situation gives a snapshot into the perilous state of affairs at the Rebels, as the franchise tries to keep it together as their future is played out publicly.