News Alert |

History will be made this weekend when Super Rugby comes to regional Victoria for the very first time in Ballarat. 

Victoria’s own Melbourne Rebels will host a huge rugby union double header at Mars Stadium on Saturday. 

In Super Rugby’s first ever regional game, the Melbourne Rebels W take on the Brumbies at 12.15pm, followed by the men’s team at 2.45pm against South Africa's Sharks. 

It promises to be an emotional day for the Rebels, with the club's identity – including the name, logo and creed – inspired by the 1854 battle at Ballarat's Eureka Stockade. 

City of Ballarat Cr Des Hudson says the game will go down in history as one of the greatest sporting events to take place at Mars Stadium. 

“This is the first time Super Rugby has been held in a regional Victorian city and it’s being hosted in Ballarat at our magnificent Mars Stadium,” he says. 

“Mars Stadium is Ballarat’s multi-sports and events facility that lends itself to a range of codes, including AFL, A-League soccer and much more. 

“Saturday's game will bring elite level men’s and women’s rugby union to Ballarat while the eyes of the South African Sharks’ loyal and strong fan base will also be taking in the game via Fox Sports, which has a global distribution of up to 200 million households world-wide. 

“There’s no doubt that this event puts Ballarat and Mars Stadium on the world stage.” 

The Victorian Government is providing funding support through Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Significant Sporting Events Program to ensure Mars Stadium will be the first regional Victorian stadium to host a Super Rugby Home and Away Season Fixture.  

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison says this Super Rugby fixture featuring the Rebels taking on the Sharks here at MARS Stadium is a huge moment for Ballarat. 

“Ballarat is the undeniable regional home of sport in Victoria and we’re so proud to play our part in creating history right here at the spectacular MARS Stadium.    “Ballarat is thrilled to host our first ever Super Rugby game – the Andrews Labor Government is backing sport from the grassroots to elite level and we can’t wait for the weekend.” 

Melbourne Rebels Head Coach Dave Wessels says: “As a Club we’ve got a huge connection with Ballarat; It’s obviously where our name comes from and our emblem. 

“In my three years with the club, we’ve always been back there so it’s nice to be able to bring the game there this year. 

“The Sharks are full of World Cup winning Springboks and they’re well coached. I think our boys are feeling excited by that, also because we’re taking the game to Ballarat. 

“If we can play well again this week, then our season has certainly got some wind behind it.” 

In Saturday's game, the women’s side will look to capture their first victory of 2020, led by superstar co-captain Mel Kawa, who plays with a dash of speed and finesse which is set to thrill the Ballarat crowd. 

Meanwhile, the Rebels will be searching for back-to-back wins following last Friday’s gutsy performance against the NSW Waratahs in the wet. 

Facing the Sharks, the clash promises to be a high-octane scoring affair with both sides combining for over 160 points just three rounds into the season. 

The Sharks are led by Aphelele Fassi, who’s had a sensational start to the 2020 season, leading the league in metres carried and defenders beaten. 

Melbourne will be headlined by Wallabies team members Isi Naisarani and Dane Haylett Petty, who have set the Super Rugby world alight, leading the entire competition for carries, at number one and two respectively. 

Tickets available via Ticketek. 

For enquiries about Melbourne Rebels’ media opportunities on game day, please contact Sam Richards, Melbourne Rebels, on 0402 063 230.