The soon-to-be-completed Melbourne Rectangular Stadium will house the Melbourne Rebels © Getty Images

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The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has unveiled the country's fifth Super Rugby side, Melbourne Rebels, and handed control of the franchise to a consortium headed by businessman Harold Mitchell.

The confirmation allows the group to begin recruiting a chief executive, head coach and a 30-man playing squad ahead of their admittance to the Super 15 in 2011as the fifth side in the Australian conference. The team will play at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, which will seat 31,000 fans upon completion.

The ARU has also announced that the franchise will be permitted to recruit up to 10 foreign players in their squad in order to ensure immediate competitiveness. The existing Australian sides, the Brumbies, Force, Reds and Waratahs, are permitted two overseas players.

"Today's announcement by the ARU is a wonderful outcome for Melbourne," Mitchell said. "Our group has worked tirelessly to ensure that Melbourne is provided the best opportunity to make a significant impact on Super Rugby in 2011. We are grateful to the Board of the ARU for the confidence they have shown in us and they can be assured that we will make Australian Rugby proud of our newest Super team."

Mitchell's desires were echoed by O'Neill, who will be hoping that the new side can help union compete further with the dominant forces of Aussie Rules, cricket and rugby league.

"We are delighted to confirm the Melbourne team is now officially up and running," ARU chief John O'Neill said. "The Victorian rugby community has been crying out for consistent high-level rugby and basing a Super Rugby team in the city fulfils that desire in a way no other alternative could match. We know there is a market for quality rugby in Melbourne."