Lopeti Timani has signed a two-year contract extension with Melbourne Rebels, reversing initial plans to head overseas at the end of his existing deal to remain at the Super Rugby franchise until at least the end of the 2017 Super Rugby competition.

Timani, scored the opening try of the Super Rugby season, when he started in the second row against the Crusaders last Friday, gaining reward for his patience after making only two appearances in his first campaign with the Rebels in 2014 due to niggling injuries.

Timani regained form and fitness with Melbourne Rising during the inaugural National Rugby Championship, and he said the tournament "was really good for me as I just really wanted to play some Rugby, and it was a good opportunity to prepare for this year's Super Rugby season". Timani admitted that he planned, when he first moved to Melbourne in 2014, to head overseas at the end of his contract.

"My first year felt like a waste of time because I kept getting injured and couldn't find consistency in my game," he said. "However when [head coach] Tony [McGahan] and [rugby operations manager] Baden Stephenson spoke to me about staying and showed faith in me, it made me want to stay here and stand up and be counted for.

McGahan said the younger brother of former Wallabies second-rower Sitaleki Timani was "somebody that all of us at the club are excited about".

He brings great physicality to everything he does, and is determined to seek improvement in his game and capitalise on his ability. By working hard on his game and adapting to a number of different positions in our forward pack, Lopeti has ensured we see him as a major part of our future. If he continues to focus on continual improvement and work hard, then there is no limit to what he can do."

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