The Melbourne Rebels have shored up their scrum stocks by locking in hooker Pat Leafa and prop Tim Metcher on new Super Rugby deals.
Leafa hasn’t missed a game in the past two Super Rugby seasons, while tight-head Metcher has shone after joining the up-and-coming Melbourne franchise this year.
New Zealand-born Leafa has extended his deal until the end of 2017 while Metcher has committed for next season.
Leafa, 26, had become a Rebels mainstay since making his Super Rugby debut late in 2013 and said he was delighted to secure his future.
“It shows that they believe in me and my re-signing shows that I believe in the club,” Leafa said.
Leafa will have extra competition in 2016 with Queensland’s James Hanson and Siliva Siliva from the Brumbies joining the Rebels.
Coach Tony McGahan said Leafa had proven himself to his teammates on and off the field.
“Pat’s performances this year – in regards to his defensive work, scrummaging and his desire to take the ball into traffic – were first class,” McGahan said.
“We are delighted he sees his future here in Melbourne.”
The pair’s signings take the Rebels’ confirmed squad to 26 players for next season, with 16 of them also re-signed until the end of 2017.
Former NSW Waratah Tom Kingston, Jed Gillespie, Tom Sexton, Telusa Veainu and Ben Whittaker are leaving Melbourne as well as utility back Bryce Hegarty, who will play in Japan.
Browny
Roar Rookie
That was one of the first things the new owners addressed; the on and off field roster stability. They've said they're backing McGahan for the long run which is great to hear. Squad movement seems to be settling down a bit now. Of the 6 'leavers' mentioned at the bottom of the article, Hegarty was the only one playing regularly and that was either as a bench option or when Big Jack or Mikey Harris didn't play, filling the 10 or 15 guernsey.
Markus
Guest
They definitely seem to have the biggest turnover rate of all the Australian teams. Outside backs in particular is an area they constantly over recruit in then drop at least half of them at the end of every season. Even more concerning would be their prop turnover rate. Props are an extremely finite resource in this country and require a lot more investment than most other positions to get a true return.
Boomeranga
Guest
I don't really understand their recruitment strategy. They seem to really load up in certain positions but remain pretty lean in others. The best example being when they were chasing Gill.
pjm
Roar Rookie
I don't think the Rebels are too concerned as they let Neville go. They're pretty keen on a backrow of reid, mcmahon, faingaa so I think the locks will stay as Timani and Jones.
Browny
Roar Rookie
Great depth at hooker (Hansen, Leafa and Siliva) combined with smaller loosies (McMahon, Fainga'a, Fuglistaller, Reid) plus 'out of position' back rowers (Jones and Timani). Losing Alo-Emile hurts but with Smith, Ah-Nau, Weeks and Metcher the front rowers are still pretty solid. Just need some out-and-out locks, especially with Higginbotham's departure removing one genuine lineout target. Could see them playing a back 5 of Jones-Timani-McMahon-Reid-Fainga'a but that only leaves you with Jones as your primary target and McMahon as a secondary... ouch. Tallest forward would be Jones at 196cm with Timani 2nd at 193cm... Maybe the ARU could get Douglas to the Rebels (if they're tring to fit him in somewhere) and they could shift Timani to 8?
Existentialist
Guest
I guess he is looking at the organization and not just his immediate competition. Must say something about the Reds. He seems like a bright bloke so must see the writings on the wall
pjm
Roar Rookie
Strange that Hanson has gone to the Rebels to compete with another hooker just as he got ahead of Faingaa.
Paul
Guest
I really like Leafa, but he need to spend preseason throwing balls at barn doors till he actually hits one. maybe Hanson can help him out.
Rebel
Guest
Well done Metch