The Melbourne Rebels have put aside their off-field woes to post a 38-12 victory over the NSW Waratahs in their first trial match ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
The Rebels entered voluntary administration last Monday but the men's side gave their fans at local Melbourne club Moorabbin something to cheer about on Saturday, stretching their 12-5 half-time lead into a convincing preseason win.
Former Queensland and Wallabies lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto formed a dangerous first-half combination with youngster Josh Canham, who scored a try and set up another.
Daniel Maiava, who came on in the second row in the second half, posted a double.
Rebels general manager of rugby Nick Stiles said it was a solid performance at the end of a tough week.
"It's fantastic. It's the first trial game we've won in the last three years," he said.
"With everything else that's been going on we wanted to come out and make a statement around that.
"We've been so confident around the work we've been putting into the program for the last few years and I thought today was a reflection of how hard they've trained through the preseason and the depth we've got in the group.
"It's only a trial game, but it's a great starting point."
Rugby Australia (RA) released a statement on Tuesday saying it was "committed" to ensuring the Rebels play in this year's Super Rugby Pacific and Super W seasons.
RA said it would work with the appointed administrator and "focus on a viable professional rugby footprint" in Melbourne that could be commercially successful.
"As custodians of the game, we are determined to ensure that RA is making responsible decisions for a sustainable and successful future – we will work with the Rebels and the relevant stakeholders to that end," RA chief executive Phil Waugh said in the statement.
Waugh said RA would "continue its dialogue" with the Victorian government in relation to the Rebels' future.
The Super Rugby Pacific season kicks off on February 23. The Rebels host the ACT Brumbies in the opening round.
AAP/ABC