The rise of the Melbourne Rebels has continued, with the Super Rugby franchise signing former All Blacks centre Matt Proctor.
While in more good news for Australian rugby, Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio will stay put for the Brumbies for another season after being tempted by a move to Lyon in the French Top 14.
In news that will warm the heart of Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan, Proctor, who developed a reputation of running hard lines in attack and getting on the ball in defence for the Hurricanes, won’t be going back to New Zealand but rather to Melbourne.
Matt Proctor of the All Blacks with Steve Hansen. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
All year the Rebels have been on the hunt for a bone-crunching centre. At last, they have landed one.
Proctor, 30, has spent the past few years in the English Premiership under former Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd at Northampton Saints, but the one-cap All Blacks centre will return to Super Rugby in 2024.
It’s a fine piece of business from Rebels general manager Nick Stiles, who was on the hunt to replace the versatile Reece Hodge.
Although Hodge’s versatility made him a valuable figure for the franchise as he became the first Rebel to play 100 Super Rugby matches, Proctor is an out-and-out midfielder.
His arrival will shore up the Rebels’ defence and give them some real punch in the midfield that will undoubtedly help Carter Gordon.
As well as the hard edge Proctor will bring, he will also give the Rebels some experience and leadership for the ambitious Rebels.
Matt Proctor played one Test for the All Blacks in 2018 alongside former Hurricanes teammate Dane Coles. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Proctor, who missed the Saints’ semi-final defeat to Saracens, joins his former teammate Lukhan Salakaia-Loto at the franchise.
While other Australian franchises may have been more active with their signings, the Rebels have perhaps been the smartest.
Rather than plucking players willy-nilly, they’ve been targeted with their recruitment strategy.
It has seen Stiles place an emphasis on Ben Darwin’s cohesion theory, with fellow new recruit Taniela Tupou playing years alongside Salakaia-Loto and hooker Alex Mafi.
It can be seen with their coaching strategy too, with Stiles hoping the progress made translates onto the field in the coming years.
Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio will stay at the Brumbies in 2024. (Photo by David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the Brumbies too have reason to celebrate after 23-year-old Wallabies playmaker Lolesio opted to stay put in Australian rugby.
Lolesio signed a two-year extension deal last year but could have exercised a clause in his contract to get out of the deal after the 2023 season.
While Lyon chased the 17-Test Wallaby, Lolesio opted to stay put. He could yet take up a World Cup joker position overseas to get more experience and match practice under his belt if Eddie Jones doesn’t select the rising playmaker for this year’s World Cup.
Lolesio is unlikely to be included in Jones’ 33-man Wallabies squad for The Rugby Championship on Sunday, but his international experience, where he has helped win Tests against the All Blacks, England, France and South Africa, means he could still play a role going forward this year.
ForceFan
Roar Rookie
No-one can blame these young players from moving on. All around them they see the disparities and unequal distribution of RAu’s Wallaby top-ups. The lack of a 2nd Tier competition is telling for many young players. As would reducing the number of SR franchises which would only result in more players moving offshore. The average career of a Super Rugby player in Oz is <3 seasons. If they genuinely want to try and make a career out of rugby then often they have little choice but to ply/improve their skills by testing themselves away from the comfort of home. As a young, single young bloke then why not give the UK or France a go? I reckon we need more collaboration between Nthn Hemi and Sthn Hemi teams (such as WF and Montpellier) so that more interchange of players is possible.
whistleblower (retired)
Roar Rookie
There is so much to like about the Rebels playing style, lets face it they troubled or beat pretty much every SR team this year. With Proctor joining alongside Taniela Tupou, Salakaia-Loto and Alex Mafi they will do much better next season. I see an awful lot of the French style of play in what Kevin Foote is instilling, intentionally or otherwise, into the Rebels. If the Tahs continue to disappoint next year I may have a change of allegiance after a virtually uninterrupted 60 years of masochistic Tahs support.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Not sure a one test wonder is a gun. Proctor will be a good signing and will certainly help the development of those around him.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Quick google search and I found the answer… “Australian teams already allow for foreign players, with different caps at the Force (8), Rebels (6) and NSW, Brumbies and Queensland (4). “ From a SMH article discussing a potential draft.
Bluesfan
Born in NZ so good to see him go for AB's And if any Super side is going to upskill you - Crusaders are that team. Couple of years there and probably the world is his oyster in regards Japan, Europe etc.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Oh man that would sting if Noah went to Euro for 3yrs and then came back to NZ in his prime, or just move to an NZ club now like Mike AAA, T Lomax, and a few others. Losing T Lomax when we need THPs! :shocked:
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
PB, "Yeah would love another lock" If Adam Coleman could stay on the field and not get suspended he'd be a good get from London Irish. It's a big "IF" though and too big a risk I think! It's so frustrating to see talent wasted because they can't get their sh!t together around discipline.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
TWAS, just when you think you've got your 10 year second row!
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
France, US Colomiers Pro D2 I believe
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
CD, is that sarcasm??? :laughing: :laughing:
AJP
Roar Rookie
Yep, happy to cop all of that in so far as the factual errors go, FF - a wee bit lazy by me. (FWIW, I'm from WA, a Brums man, but get along to see the Force.) But no dig at the WF here - the sarcasm was laid on thick by design, and I don't deviate from my original point - blokes don't miraculously become 100 times the player they were while in Super Rugby, simply by playing club footy in England / France / Japan. Some, like Hoskins as you point out, have a chance to develop in a different environment where their opportunities here were limited. For most players, though, my point is that there's a pretty solid chance the reason they look better playing O/S is because of the lower standard comp they move to. E.g. the number of Roarers who continue to claim that Sean McMahon and Liam Gill (etc etc - take your pick) would have completely changed the fortunes of the Rebels / Reds / WBs if only they'd been given more of a chance by their coaches / selectors - I mean, they didn't while they were here the first time, so what's changed? Again, I say it's that they're playing in a weaker comp and it makes 'em look a million times better.
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
I have no dramas with his choice mate. Was just pointing out how he also qualifies to play for the Wallabies if he had decided to go that way.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Can't say I see him as a starting 15. Surely behind Kellaway.
PaddyBoy
Roar Rookie
If Mason is anything like big bro I'm excited. What did you think of Pincus this year TWAS? He was ok when he started I thought but looked clunky off the bench. If he owns the 15 spot our back 5 would look a lot more complete.
PaddyBoy
Roar Rookie
So true Nick, I thought many times through the year he might have been better at 13, Hodge at FB and Kellaway and Anderson the wings. Seemed like a legend of a bloke though haha.
FatOldHalfback
Roar Rookie
Club is very different to international. At club you can build a side buying players for particular roles or to fit with other players, at international you mostly just have the players you and have to try and fit them together as best you can. So a good player who lacks certain attributes can do well at club level because the rest of the team can be built to cover their weakness and this may not be possible at international level-- I worry Skelton may be like this La R can build a team to make use of his bulk and cover his lack of jump, but at international do the Wallabies have the same options? Lyon may well be able to build a team that makes great use of Lolesio's passing and goal kicking and covers his lack of robust running and defence. And it might be a great learning experience for him.
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
I think Ray Nu'u is not even available for Otago this year. Wondering what his plans are?
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Welcome back NB. My memory of Proctor was that he was a decent defender. Has that fallen away since moving overseas?
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
b.s, suspended for 7 games for high tackles last year. 3 games first time and then sent off in his first game back and suspended for 4 games. I believe he had a knee injury this year that may have held him back but that's not much production out of a 2 year contract so possibly better options. Anyway he's off to France and good luck to him.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Maiava is a good young prospect but I suspect a 6 not a lock. Leafi too. But if either kicks on, then LSL, Canham and one of them is still a downgrade on Philip, Hosea and Canham. Was chatting to a mate saying it would be great if Gordon can be close to a replacement for Hodge as a 15 option. If Mason can play 15 that forces Kellaway to the wing and we'd have a strong backline.