Updated
Melbourne Rebels have piled more bad news on star fly half James O'Connor's weekend by announcing that they have not offered the Wallaby playmaker a new contract.
O'Connor will see out the 2013 season with the fledgling Rebels but will not return next year.
The news comes just hours after O'Connor and the Wallabies fell to the British and Irish Lions in Sydney in the series-deciding third Test.
Rebels chief executive Rob Clarke thanked O'Connor for his services over the last two seasons but said the franchise was moving in a different recruitment direction.
"I would like to acknowledge the role James has played in helping the Rebels gain traction in the very competitive sporting landscape in Melbourne," he said in a club statement.
"After three years in the Super 15 competition, the club is entering the next phase of development.
"I am very confident in our player recruitment strategies which continue to identify some excellent emerging talent.
"This group will provide the platform for continual improvement, both on and off the field."
The Rebels will also see captain Gareth Delve, hooker Ged Robinson, prop Nic Henderson and utility forward Tim Davidson all depart at season's end.
There is speculation that star full-back Kurtley Beale will also leave Melbourne after 2013 to return to Sydney after a turbulent two seasons on and off the field with the Rebels.
Topics: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia
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