While the Rebels have survived a creditors vote on liquidating the club, they have lost to the Blues 38-11 in their Super Rugby Pacific clash in Melbourne.
The table-topping Hurricanes have exposed the NSW Waratahs as title pretenders with a 41-12 Super Rugby Pacific thrashing in Wellington.
The Melbourne Rebels may survive as a Super Rugby Pacific side after creditors voted against liquidating the debt-ridden club.