The Melbourne Rebels have put out the welcome mat for Wallaby forward Sitaleki Timani but he’s yet to commit to the Super Rugby side.
The Rebels were already in the market for a lock and may land a bigger fish than expected after Timani’s big money deal with French club Montpellier reportedly fell through.
With his former Super Rugby outfit NSW Waratahs already replacing him with South African Jacques Potgieter, Timani may join his younger brother Lopeti in Melbourne.
He would be a huge get, literally, standing 203cm and weighing 120kg.
Timani’s relationship with Rebels coach Tony McGahan, who was previously Wallabies coaching co-ordinator, adds further weight to Melbourne’s case.
“Very early discussion have been had but it’s very much in Sitaleki’s hands to where he stands with his opportunity in France,” said Rebels chief executive Rob Clarke.
“We wanted to at least let him and the Australian Rugby Union know that we have an opportunity for a lock and he would be a perfect fit for us at the Rebels.”
Backrower Lopeti Timani, 19, joined Melbourne on a two-year deal starting in 2014 after limited game time at NSW.
He won’t start training with the Rebels until October, playing Sydney club rugby with Southern Districts alongside his 26-year-old brother beforehand.
If Sitaleki decides to remains in Australia he will become available for Wallaby selection, after initially being overlooked by new coach Ewen McKenzie because of his expected departure for France.
After 10 Test caps, he missed the British and Irish Lions series due to thumb surgery.
The Rebels are also on the look-out for a couple of backs.
Melbourne have some money to spare after releasing Test stars James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale, who last week re-signed with NSW.
O’Connor initially pin-pointed this break in the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship schedule to make a decision on his playing future.
However his manager David Shand said he didn’t expect any news this week.
O’Connor is believed to be headed back to the Western Force however their chief executive Mark Sinderberry is overseas until the end of the week.
Shand said there was interest from parties including other Australian provinces, overseas rugby clubs and rugby league but O’Connor’s preference was to play rugby union in Australia.
“All I can say is that negotiations are ongoing and are very positive with the ARU at this stage,” he said.
“His focus at the moment is playing for the Wallabies.”
atlas
Guest
yes he's in the Hawke's Bay front row with former Rebel Ged Robinson and AB Ben Franks (who is available for this Sunday's game while no RC game played, but HD fullback Israel Dagg isn't - only ten of the AB squad are playing games in the break, others get a week off) Hawke's Bay challenge Otago for the Ranfurly Shield in Dunedin on Sunday and they're expecting 20,000 (including just a few HB supporters!) 'Although he prefers the loosehead propping role, Lahiff can play both sides of the scrum and said he won't mind the tighthead role Magpies coach Craig Philpott wants him to focus on. He is confident his one season contract with the Magpies will provide ideal preparation for his two-year contract with the Rebels Super Rugby side in Australia. Through his father Lahiff is Australian qualified and the damaging ball carrier and defender who can bench press 205kg and squat 240kg has already been labelled a 2014 Wallaby by British rugby critics.' http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11103604
jeznez
Roar Guru
Is a massively better standard than Aussie club rugby so if his northern contract is finished is the ideal preparation down this end o the world.
ibika
Guest
i hope JOC goes to the reds or the tahs.. the reds would be mad not to sign him..they have lost a lot of good backs in the last few years.. pity if he goes back the dud force.. be good to see how he goes in a decent team.
Justin3
Guest
Where is mania when you need him, apparently all this horse trading only happens in AUS and its a reason our player are selfish and we suck etc etc etc...
Justin3
Guest
Good comeback....
Chan Wee
Guest
Does that mean Guildord will ply on the other wing , coz the guy who was on the right went to chiefs, right? what news of freuen? becoz if sbw comes backto chiefs , then there is no big guy to take him on , as nonu is still unemployed !
Short-Blind
Guest
Good post totally agree Skid
Short-Blind
Guest
Good post totally agree Skid
Ben.S
Roar Guru
I read the other day that Lahiff is playing ITM Cup ATM. Was a bit surprised by that.
bennalong
Guest
Crap!
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Pretty much i guess. It was on 3 news tonight. Not sure if it is official but they seem pretty certain it's happening.
Jerry
Guest
Is that confirmed? I'd heard they were chasing him but nothing definite.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Good news for Crusaders fans and a blow to the Canes, Julian Savea is off to the Crusaders next season.
Skid
Guest
Special priority needs to be given to forward development in this country. Not on mass, but focusing resources in the short term on a few key young guys with potential - build our depth by increments not on scale - let junior pathways change the long term, and we should focus on the 'almost here and now'. The Wallabies need forwards (partiularly tight and a couple of big physical loosies) to come through, so all these guys like Skelton, Neville, Lopeti, Pyle, Sio, Silva Silva, Anae should come under special ARU focus. Not extended training squads, or Australia A games, but development training programs. EG Lopeti has been a disappointment for me - someone this big, skilful, intimidating and hard hitting hasn't developed into something phenomenal. For some reason he is falling between the development cracks. Maybe attitude, but you can't tell me with some special attention he can't be a future Aussie enforcer? My short term fix is to try and fill these development cracks between Super Rugby and International Rugby, because if people haven't noticed, this is the step we are tripping on the most! Now don't get me started on the grassroots of Rugby!
johnson
Guest
did they breach it? did the ARU take action? please do tell!!!
jutsie
Guest
it wouldve been nice if foley had come over but then again id like to see him continue his development at the tahs. i hope he retains his position ahead of beale and same with folau at 15. honestly i dont know how beale will fit into the NSW backline. hegarty isnt great but he's the best we got. I think the dumping of JOC was very disappointing the only plus from it is the money saved for a broke club.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Weekes is likely to hold down the TH position as long as he doesn't suffer injury. Toby Smith is moving from the Chiefs and Max Lahiff from London Irish - believe both will be challenging for the LH spot.
lachie
Guest
if you look at Timani doesnt he carry the kind of baggage EM needs to get rid of if the wallabies are going to turn things around Not a line out winner low work rate at breakdown doesnt go the 80 excelent at club rugby.....
jameswm
Roar Guru
I don't rate Hegarty at all. He can't pass properly to his right and falls off his passes. Really, do the Tahs need Beale AND Foley? Beale could play 15, but then you (hopefully) have Folau there. And I say this as a Tahs fan. I guess Foley could play 12 or Folau could play wing, but I really want to see Issy at the back.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Salary Cap?!?! What Salary Cap!!!