Waratahs hooker Freier expected to head a brand new band of Rebels
STATHI PAXINOS
March 15, 2010
THE Waratahs are set to lose the services of their most-capped hooker, with Adam Freier this week expected to become the Melbourne Rebels' highest-profile signing to date.
Freier, a veteran of 25 Tests and 99 provincial matches with the Waratahs and Brumbies, is understood to be one of eight players set to be unveiled by the Rebels in the coming days, joining former England five-eighth Danny Cipriani on the fledgling Super 15 franchise's books.
The Rebels are, from today, free to announce signings of players who are contracted to the four established Australian teams, with the Australian Rugby Union-imposed ban expiring at midnight last night.
Freier, who has yet to play for NSW this season after off-season back surgery, is looming as Melbourne's biggest catch.
With fellow international Tatafu Polota-Nau performing strongly in the No. 2 jersey for the Waratahs, Freier is believed to have opted for the guaranteed game time offered by Melbourne in next year's expanded Super 15 competition.
Freier is likely to headline a list of Melbourne signings this week including prop Laurie Weeks, back-rower Adam Byrnes and halfback Richard Kingi from the Queensland Reds, and NSW academy winger Peter Betham.
Former Western Force and Waratahs forward Tim Davidson, former Waratahs utility back Lachlan Mitchell, who is at London Wasps, and former Queensland and Australian halfback Sam Cordingley, who is playing in France, will also be announced this week.
Rebels officials would not comment on the expected signings, with chief executive Brian Waldron only saying ''we're excited about what's going to unfold in the ensuing days and ensuing weeks''.
The Rebels failed to attract big-name players such as Berrick Barnes and David Pocock, and also missed out on Waratahs five-eighth Daniel Halangahu. However, it is believed that the club is still pursuing former NRL star Mark Gasnier, Brumbies back Christian Lealiifano, who was raised in Melbourne, Welsh representative Gareth Delve, and former Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock and utility back Mark Gerrard.
Rebels coach Rod Macqueen said the squad's core would be revealed over the coming weeks and he was happy with the shape it was taking.
''We're sifting though players with the attributes that we are seeking [and] the next couple of weeks will start to see the nucleus of the team coming together,'' Macqueen said.
''We didn't expect to get everyone we were after, and on the other hand, there's been a lot of speculation about players we were after that we actually weren't.
''There's no doubt that at this stage we're reasonably happy with where we are.''
