Melbourne Rebels have a ready-made replacement for departing backrowers Amanaki Maki and Lopeti Timani with Brumbies rising star Isi Naisarani joining the Super Rugby franchise.
The 23-year-old Fiji-born Naisarani is also in the sights of Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, signing a one-year deal with Rugby Australia.
He will be eligible to play for Australia in April, putting him in line for a potential spot in next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan.
The 23-year-old made his Super Rugby debut for the Western Force in their final season, making five appearances for the club in 2017 and scoring one try. He won the award for being the Force’s best player that year too, making him the first debutant to receive the honour.
He had a breakout year for the Brumbies this year, starting in all 15 of their 2018 matches and crossing the line five times – putting him well in the sights of Australian and Fijian national selectors.
Having now lived in Australia for the required five years, he is eligible for Wallabies selection.
In a press release, Naisarani said it’d had been a big two years for him.
“I’m really excited to get down to Melbourne and team up with Dave at the Rebels. He’s had a big impact on me, and helping me to improve as a player.
“It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was playing for Brisbane City in the National Rugby Championship but I know that I have to keep on working hard to improve myself as a player.
“The World Cup in Japan is a big dream of mine and obviously to pull on that Gold jersey would be something very special,” he said.
Rebels coach Dave Wessels said he was excited to work with the 23-year-old again.
“He made a real impression straight away at the Western Force in his first year of Super Rugby, which is no easy feat to step straight into one of the toughest provincial rugby competitions in the world.
“Isi brings professionalism and work ethic on and off-the-track to everything he does.
“He adds a real touch of X-factor and versatility in the backrow and we think he’ll compliment the strength of our forward pack,” he said.
– With AAP
John R
Roar Guru
It’s top stuff aye Andrew. They did a video on the USA’s pro comp too which I thought was a good watch as well.
Andrew
Roar Guru
Just watched this video and explored their website a bit more - unreal stuff! Along with Nick Bishops articles this stuff is like crack to Rugbyheads.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yeah fair. Ultimately there's been no actual outcome and her input on the matter seems to have died down. Get her goodwill and has moved on.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I agree. NSWRU and QRU are hopeless. They have the biggest base, largest income and do very little with it. They also hold the voting power so that the game cannot be run any way they disagree with. I tend to think most issues with RA are merely a symptom of this, rather than a cause of a problem.
piru
Roar Rookie
How come TWAS didn't get moderated!! Bias! Conspiracy!!! Senator within months of the Liberal Party losing the WA election is probably also for the purpose of political point scoring than any real outcome. Very possibly, but I think it's more grandstanding than point scoring. ie 'look at me I'm taking on the easterners who did us wrong' the Road Safety one was just an attempted gotcha
MitchO
Guest
I am one of the people who complained when the Force was cut so fair enough but I do question the professionalism in how things seem to be run. My dig should probably be about the NSW and Queensland state unions. I would hate to think that Alan Jones is right about anything but is there enough of a push at the grass roots level? Twiggy seems to be getting more energy put into rugby WA than happened previous to him.
Bakkies
Guest
It is Bakkies what is your's?
Bakkies
Guest
So funny because it is true.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
That's fair enough saying it's political point scoring, but you surely you'd have to agree that the initiation of one by a Liberal Senator within months of the Liberal Party losing the WA election is probably also for the purpose of political point scoring than any real outcome.
piru
Roar Rookie
haha, I've been over my response like three times and can't see anything that would be moderatable - I guess they're just showing us who's boss
The Mirror
Guest
This is funny. I have never seen someone so willing to throw away their credibility because they want to win a point. Not on any rugby boards at least. it is like watching someone attempting to hold water in their hands.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
"Why on earth would you moderate that?" I had no idea either. I thought for a min how to rephrase, but how do I know what to say if I don't know what not to say?
The Mirror
Guest
I do not disagree Piru. I am attempting to highlight the hypocrisy of Jakkies arguments.
piru
Roar Rookie
Why on earth would you moderate that?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Fair
piru
Roar Rookie
Just think there's a bit of a misconception that it's all being paid out of Twiggy's chequebook - they've been announcing sponsors regularly since the start of WSR
piru
Roar Rookie
That’s the other Senate inquiry involving the Force that doesn’t seem to get much of a mention. The one that was referred to the Corruption and Crime Commission. Doesn't get much of a mention because it's pretty irrelevant as far as The Force were concerned. There was some accusation that the person who signed off on the sponsorship didn't have authority to do so, but it was pure political point scoring from what I could tell.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
That's the other Senate inquiry involving the Force that doesn't seem to get much of a mention. The one that was referred to the Corruption and Crime Commission. Following Bakkies' lead in the guilt by association methodology wrt RA and some dude who worked for Melbourne Stadiums
Bakkies
Guest
The Rabble and the RA wouldn't know due dilligence if it hit them in the face.
piru
Roar Rookie
I don't bother anymore, if you don't support a particular Australian team there's very little value in it.