FORMER All Blacks prop Greg Somerville is poised to sign with Super 15 expansion franchise Melbourne Rebels.
FORMER All Blacks prop Greg Somerville is poised to sign with Super 15 expansion franchise Melbourne Rebels.
Sources in England revealed Somerville, who plays for Gloucester, had agreed to terms with the Rebels.
"I'm happy to say Greg Somerville is one of the players we are talking to," Rebels head coach Rod Macqueen said.
Somerville, who can play on both sides of the scrum, would be an excellent pick-up for the Rebels with his excellent scrummaging and work in the loose.
Macqueen confirmed the Rebels would also be interested in Brumbies number eight, Stephen Hoiles, who is being courted by Stade Francais coach-elect Michael Cheika.
Cheika is also trying to talk rugby league convert Mark Gasnier into staying with Stade Francais instead of returning to Australia to play for the Rebels or the Reds.
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There is speculation that the Rebels could sign rugby league star Israel Folau within two weeks, despite officials at his current club, the Brisbane Broncos, claiming he has promised to see out the remaining two years of his deal with them.
Macqueen said the Rebels were happy with the progress of their recruiting campaign.
"There is a misconception we are going after every possible player," he said. "The reality is we have a bit of time to make decisions.
"We've signed some older players, which will be good for our culture and now we are looking at players in key positions."
Meanwhile, Brumbies five-eighth Matt To'omua will be sidelined for three to four weeks with a knee injury.
To'omua sustained the injury while scoring a try in the Brumbies' 61-15 win against the Cheetahs in Canberra last Saturday night.
He will miss the sixth-placed Brumbies' matches with the Hurricanes, NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds and possibly the Highlanders, returning for the last-round game against the Crusaders.
Wallabies playmaker Matt Giteau is expected to move from inside centre to five-eighth with Tyrone Smith starting at No 12 against the Hurricanes in Canberra on Friday night.
With veteran midfielder Stirling Mortlock also unlikely to return from a back injury, Adam Ashley-Cooper could move from the wing to outside centre with Alfi Mafi or Andrew Smith starting on the flank.
Wallabies back-five forward Mitch Chapman remains in doubt with the hip injury he sustained in the Cheetahs game.
