Guinness Premiership
Abendanon admits Rebels' approach
Scrum.com
February 18, 2010
Nick Abendanon of Bath in action during the Guinness Premiership Semi Final match between London Wasps and Bath at Adams Park in High Wycombe, England on May 18, 2008.
Nick Abendanon has admitted that he was approached by the Melbourne Rebels © Getty Images
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Nick Abendanon has admitted that he was approached by the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby franchise before agreeing a new two-year deal to remain with Bath.

Fullback Abendanon, 23, cited his desire to add to his two England caps as the main reason behind his decision to stay in the Guinness Premiership.

The Rebels are permitted to recruit up to 10 foreign players for their debut Super Rugby season in 2011, eight more than the existing Australian franchises, and have been heavily linked with Wasps fly-half Danny Cipriani.

"It was probably one of the toughest decisions I've had to make in my career," he told BBC Radio Bristol. "I had interest from the Melbourne team and that was something that was playing on my mind as I've always wanted to play in the Super 14.

"Obviously with a new franchise they have to pay players to go there so financially it was a very decent package. But purely based on a rugby decision I thought it was best to stay here and try and win things with this team."

Rebels assistant coach Damien Hill met with a number of northern hemisphere players at the beginning of February. The franchise will be coached by former Brumbies and Australia boss Rod Macqueen, who will have to wait until after the end of the current Super 14 campaign to sign Australian players from the Reds, Waratahs, Force and Brumbies due to a newly-imposed transfer window.

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