The Melbourne Rebels have landed another international scalp, signing one-Test England halfback Jack Maunder to continue the franchise’s year of big acquisitions.
The 26-year-old, who was capped by Eddie Jones in 2017 and was called into the English set up in 2020, is set to sign a one-year deal, The Roar understands.
With the English Premiership in upheaval following the dramatic demise of Wasps, Worcester and, most recently, London Irish, there are an abundance of players on the market with few homes to go to.
Former Exeter Chiefs halfback Jack Maunder is set to sign a one-year deal with the Melbourne Rebels. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Ping the Rebels, who have for months been on the hunt for a third halfback to join Ryan Louwrens and James Tuttle at the franchise following Moses Sorovi’s departure.
The Rebels will get a player who is hungry for a chance to spread his wings but also someone whose core skills, particularly their kicking and ability to help control the tempo of a game, are of high standard.
What’s more, the Devon product is a winner.
He started in the No.9 jersey during Exeter’s win over Racing 92 in the European Champions Cup final in 2020 as well as their tense triumph over Wasps in the English Premiership final in that same year.
While Maunder barely featured during Jones’ seven-year tenure as England coach, the Australian called him up to start alongside Quade Cooper during the Barbarians’ win over Steve Hansen’s World XV in May at Twickenham.
Quade Cooper, Jack Maunder and Samu Kerevi celebrate with the Killik Cup after defeating a World XV side at Twickenham on May 28, 2023 in London. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images for Barbarians)
The exhibition match allowed Maunder, who kicked the leather off the ball in much the same way Nic White did during his time at the Chiefs, to show off his skill set with a licence to throw alongside Cooper.
“I only hit one box kick today. I think I have been averaging 50 a game,” Maunder told Devon Live in June.
“All the boys were telling me to kick it because no one could suck in any more air but I thought ‘Surely not, c’mon lads I have just spent the whole season box kicking.’
“I loved it. That is one of the most enjoyable games I have ever had, doing stuff that I would never normally do and finding myself in spaces I don’t normally go. I found myself on the wing at one point. Just stuff like that.”
Maunder said the experience was made all the better by playing alongside Cooper, who spent the 2019 season with the Rebels.
“It was really interesting speaking to the lads about different philosophies on the game,” he said.
“I spent a lot of time with Quade in training and just how he sees the game, how amazing and how smart he is.
“Just little things throughout the game, he was telling me if you do this, this and this you will get a break and it literally happened.
“I was like ‘Oh my god.’
“It is definitely something I am going to take away from the week, that I can look at how rugby is played a bit differently than I have done from the start of my career.”
Former All Blacks centre Matt Proctor’s signing with the Rebels was confirmed last month. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Maunder is the latest international to sign with the Rebels, with Stiles recently recruiting former All Blacks midfielder Matt Proctor from Northampton Saints.
He was the second Saints player to sign with the Rebels in as many months, with Wallaby Lukhan Salakaia-Loto also jumping on board after Taniela Tupou’s big-name defection to the Stockade in February.
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
He's played 2 tests for Fiji though.
PaddyBoy
Roar Rookie
Great point mate, I do forget those 10s came through Vic! Recently saw the Vic u18s had a win against ACTu18s, great sign. Did you get a chance to get down there?
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Shannon, the rumour is that the Waratahs Board is still figuring out budget policy. Do they pay up to the salary cap, or do they do what they did to Penney and give the coach only a small portion and put the rest in the bank for the $ return? Interest rates are up this year.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Came here to say this. Also, never discount the habit of winning, and of expecting to go out there for a win. That attitude rubs off, and it would be very helpful for the other Rebels to have it rub off on them.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Probably the best halfback to come out of Vic has been Phoenix Hunt who played NRC level for Bris City. Compare that to 10 where players like Christian Leali'ifano, Rodney Ioana and Kemu Valetini are currently running around for teams. Vic seems to produce front rowers, secon rowers, back rowers (but not 7s), 10s, centres and wingers. But there seemingly is no elite 9s or 7s that have come out of Vic.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
G’day Francis. Understand your point of view but let me put this to you. After the short contracts of former AB Adam Thompson and George Smith with the Reds, (yes we needed them at the time), the quality of Reds loose forwards has certainly improved. Players at the time expressed their gratitude at seeing how true professionals worked as well as different ways to play the position. I’d suggest getting two young Aussie 9s being exposed to this situation, and hopefully for them, improving, is better than having three young halves not exposed to any improvement. Then after 1 year, they help the 3rd Aussie more than they otherwise would have. Best case, win-win.
robbo999
Roar Rookie
Sorovi is a Torres Strait Islander
Shannon Rowse
Roar Rookie
Great signing but who the hell are my waratahs signing????
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
Sorovi plays for Fiji, not Australia so I'm not sure how this changes anything from the imports perspective.
Mactruck
Roar Rookie
Rebs will be competitive next year I reckon.
Farthing
Roar Rookie
Few clips of him online, looks massive, worth the Waratahs giving him a go.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep, but not as good as his bother Billy!
SlytheeTove
Roar Rookie
Kibirge and Spinks went pretty well for the Force this year and they weren't part of the core England setup afaik. I think it's a good thing and if they work out it will help improve both competition for spots and competitiveness of the team as a whole. While there is a case for local development, foreign players don't seem to be impacting the French or Irish teams of late (now that they have the balance right).
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Teddy Wilson- Red by birthright
Christy Doran
Editor
They went after him. He decided to stay at Tahs.
Christy Doran
Editor
Agreed. He’ll add plenty of experience. A few people have reached out since to say he’s a top player.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I only knew of Maeafou because he was a Rat junior. Now the French are trying to twist the eligibility rules to pick him for the WC
PaddyBoy
Roar Rookie
Pretty good signing! Definitely fills that 3rd halfback position more than competently, possibly above Tuttle, giving us better game management in the final 30. Now have Daugunu, Lancaster, Salakai-Loto, Proctor and Tupou coming in. Dont mind Aus Super clubs going after these kinds of players. Rebels are developing lots of local players in lots of positions but the halves aren't a strong point of Vic Rugby. This is someone their academy players can learn from and, in time, replace.
Farthing
Roar Rookie
He is huge (I assume this is him) https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12574199/5f3292c5f326f70a0406233b https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12574199/5d9a72149676390f08869d06
Farthing
Roar Rookie
I had not heard of him! Gosh the French must be sending blokes to Sydney saying "if you see a huge man, sign him".