Nic Stirzaker was one of the standout performers in the NRC © Getty Images

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Melbourne Rebels have secured the services of halfback Nic Stirzaker until the end of 2017.

Stirzaker, who battles former Wallabies No.9 Luke Burgess for the Rebels' starting role, is coming off an impressive National Rugby Championship campaign where he captained Melbourne Rising in their unbeaten run to the semi-finals. The Rising were then defeated by Perth Spirit in a shock upset but Stirzaker said the close-knit Melbourne group had been one of reasons he committed himself to the club long term.

"I am really happy to re-sign; I love it down here, and most importantly I get along really well with the guys at the Club," Stirzaker said. "We have a tight group, and I think we are going to keep improving on the field."

"It's my fourth year at the Rebels, and this is the first time that the Club have really kept the majority of the squad (at the end of a season); I think that is really important, as we have a lot of quality young guys here who are only going to get better. With the likes of Tom English, Luke Jones and Sean McMahon just finishing on the Wallaby Spring Tour, you can see that we have the right sort of guys to move forward and that can only be good for the Club."

The Rebels are desperate to improve on a disastrous 2014 season where they finished in last place and secured just four wins. Coach Tony McGahan admitted Stirzaker was a key part of the Rebels' long-term vision.

"Keeping Nic in Melbourne for an extended period has certainly been a retention priority for us," McGahan said. "We're very pleased he shares our vision for the future at the Rebels, and securing him until 2017 will certainly help us in our quest to achieve that.

"Nic continues to show that he is capable of improving his game, and he has a wonderful attitude to his Rugby. He has, and will continue to, work very hard in order to give himself the best opportunity to start matches for the Rebels, and all the Club's members and fans should share our excitement that he will remain here."