Super Rugby movement
Lopeti Timani quits Waratahs for Rebels
ESPN Staff
May 6, 2013
The Waratahs' Lopeti Timani gets an offload away, Highlanders v Waratahs, Super Rugby, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, March 10, 2012
Lopeti Timani believes the road to Test selection heads trough Melbourne © Getty Images
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Lopeti Timani has signed to play for Melbourne Rebels in the 2014 and 2015 Super Rugby seasons, the former rugby league player moving south from New South Wales Waratahs.

The dynamic backrow forward played in all but two Super Rugby matches for the Waratahs in 2012, and he has caught the eye of Rebels scouts with solid performances off the bench this season. Timani turned down several offers from European clubs before officially committing to the Rebels.

Melbourne Rebels coach Damien Hill said the signing was in alignment with the direction his young squad was headed. "At only 22, Lopeti is a player with enormous potential," Hill said. "He has played both No. 8 and blindside flanker over the past two seasons, and at such a young age will only continue to develop. Lopeti has ambitions to represent the Wallabies, and sees a pathway to this goal through the Rebel rugby program."

Timani, the brother of Wallabies forward Sitaleki Timani, will join the Rebels at the beginning of their off-season later in the year.

© ESPN Australia / New Zealand

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