 Rebels CEO Andrew Cox sold the franchise back to the Victorian Rugby Union for $1 in an attempt to protect and 'save' the Rebels as the VRU were unlikely to sell the franchise to the ARU as they would axe it, whereas crucially the Force were owned solely by the ARU.On 10 August the Force were instead axed from Super Rugby with the Rebels surviving as a Super Rugby side.The Rebels name was chosen for the Melbourne ARC team in consultation with the local rugby community; VRU officials decided on the Rebels name in reference to Victoria's first Wallaby, Sir Edward "Weary" Dunlop.