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…