The Melbourne Rebels have continued to plunder the ranks of the Queensland Reds, signing hooker James Hanson.
The 26-year-old has signed a two-year deal with Melbourne until the end of the 2017 Super Rugby season.
Hanson joins skipper Scott Higginbotham and backs Mike Harris, Dom Shipperley and Jonah Placid in leaving struggling Queensland for the Rebels.
Flanker Liam Gill is also reportedly keen to move to Melbourne.
Hanson, who has made 78 Super Rugby appearances since his 2010 debut, was part of the original Melbourne Rebels side in the Australian Rugby Championship (ARC) back in 2007.
Rebels coach Tony McGahan worked with Hanson during his time as the Wallabies assistant and was delighted to lure him south.
“The Rebels are delighted that James has decided to join the club,” he said.
“James’ excellence in the set piece area, added to his ability to contribute to our strong playing group, is invaluable.”
Hanson, who has nine Test caps, said he was excited about moving to Melbourne and joining the Rebels.
“I have aspirations to achieve success at both a club and international level, and I am confident that I will be able to realise these by moving to Melbourne and joining the Rebels.
“While my immediate focus is finishing the season well with the Reds, I am genuinely excited about the opportunity at the Rebels over the next few years.”
The Reds, who have only won three Super Rugby matches this season, have also lost internationals Will Genia and James Horwill to European clubs.
Bakkies
Guest
And side to side
Brisbane boys
Guest
If his Youth Development is mediocre he will fit right in
Brisbane boys
Guest
Hanson is a fine player and I wish him well. However QLD has the young Easts Hooker coming through he looks like the goods so it is not as big a loss as say Gill or Cooper.
QldFan
Guest
There will soon be a name change to - the Red Rebels :)
Jameswm
Guest
Yep that's my thought on Gill. The Rebels are already very top heavy with 7s. The Reds need Gill. Odd if the Rebels have also signed Siliva. I can understand having two quality hookers, but 3? I think Siliva is a decent player.
Anto
Guest
Get rid of Graham, or get ready to field a Brisbane City team in next year's SR season.
Bakkies
Guest
Robinson will be mad to retire considering that he was on peanuts and working in a bar a few years back. Wouldn't begrudge him if he moves abroad. French Rugby would suit his playing style.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
If Gill is going to play 7's next year the Reds should look at retaining Beau Robinson if they think he can stay on the park. By the end of next season he will be 30 and will be ready to retire potentially and hopefully Gunn can develop in that time.
David
Guest
If Gill heads to Melbourne will it be on an altered contract to play 7s? Melbourne won't mind as they have depth and Gill gets what he wants. Qld would mind as he is our best this year by a bloody long way and would stop him playing 7s I imagine. Gunn is a good player BUT Gill came in and immediately was outstanding in super rugby. If Gill leaves this is a damming assessment of RG. Gill should play 150+ super matches and be next in kine for captaincy after slipper. God knows after watching the 7s play in London that the Australian team need a bit of starch and class to get in the medals in Rio.
Bakkies
Guest
Reports out of Ireland that Matt O'Connor who lost his Leinster job yesterday morning is in line for the Reds gig. He's been getting wins but his tactics and style of play is brutal to watch and his youth development was mediocre too.
Bakkies
Guest
Cooper is already listed on the list of ins for Toulon next season.
Bakkies
Guest
'Leafa was playing for the Vikings in Canberra for several seasons before joining the Rebels, maybe the Brumbies would be interested in a swap for Siliva. They need another younger hooker to be ready for when Moore and Mann-Rea both move on.' Anthony Hegarty, ACT boy at Grenoble. Doing well and has extended his stay.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
It gets better - according to SMH - the rumours are swirling that the Reds are chasing Force coach Michael Foley to replace Richard Graham. Nothing like replacing one under-performing head coach poached from the Western Force with a second! If at first you don't succeed... (Where is Will's facepalm photo when I need it)
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Could be another sign that Quade is leaving and RG is staying.
The Bush
Roar Guru
It's almost a little like the Force thing, the Reds tank (though re Force they'd been tanking for a a few more years) and the useless Reds Management let the young up-and-coming talent that can turn it around leave...
Markus
Guest
That is Hanson and Siliva Siliva now both signed for the Rebels for next year. I am assuming that they are going to offload Tom Sexton then, but does that mean they will also be getting rid of Leafa despite starting for them for most of the last 2 seasons? Leafa was playing for the Vikings in Canberra for several seasons before joining the Rebels, maybe the Brumbies would be interested in a swap for Siliva. They need another younger hooker to be ready for when Moore and Mann-Rea both move on. 'Flanker Liam Gill is also reportedly keen to move to Melbourne.' Gill is a great flanker but what are the Rebels going to do with him? They already have Faingaa and Fuglistaller signed on until the end of 2016, and Reid and McMahon until the end of 2017.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Considering he made is Wallaby debut in 2012 I'm very surprised he never went to either the Force or the Rebels where he would have less established players as competition.
Bakkies
Guest
I thought he should have gone to the Rebels after the Reds title last time he was off contract.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Huge loss. Biggest surprise though is that he has stayed for so long. I think we were always going to lose one of Fainga'a and Hanson due to the fact that the one on the bench would have greater ambitions.
Don
Roar Rookie
Very good addition for the Rebels. QLD will be OK with young Andrew Ready able to take the next step up. Gill would be a massive loss if he was to walk though. Michael Gunn is in there as a possible replacement and is a ripper player but I think Gill has shown everyone this year in a losing side that he is a top class 7 and equal to Hooper. If Graham is really the stumbling block in re-signing Gill then it is likely the same with a few others who may not be off contract this season as well. Sorry RG but in management if you have lost the confidence and trust of the players / staff you lose usually your job.