Super Rugby
Freier undecided on Rebels switch
Scrum.com
March 15, 2010

The Melbourne Rebels will begin unveiling the core of their squad over the coming weeks, but reports linking former Waratahs skipper Adam Freier with a high-profile move appear to be premature.

The former Wallabies hooker was among a number of names, including Reds Adam Byrnes and Richard Kingi, mentioned in relation to the Rebels' 2011 Super 15 squad following the end of the ban on announcing Australian recruits on Sunday.

''Like every person who is coming off contract, I have spoken to the Rebels,'' Freier told the Sydney Morning Herald. ''And I have definitely entertained the thought.

"But as far as signing with the Rebels, well I've had nothing given to me in writing. I've yet to talk to the ARU, I've yet to talk to NSW, who have stood by me for nine years, and especially over the past 12 months, when they have been unbelievable. As far as I'm concerned there is a reasonable amount of faith there that I need to repay."

The Rebels announced their first major signing with the capture of England fly-half Danny Cipriani in February and received a major boost with confirmation that they would be free to sign and announce players from rival Australian franchises from March 15, with the date for fully-contracted Australia internationals having been brought forward from May 31. Centre Lachlan Mitchell has also been linked with a move to the Rebels and has been released from his contract with Wasps in order to return to Australia.

Waratahs No.8 Wycliff Palu, 27, is also coming to the end of his contract and is fielding a number of offers according to his manager Mark Jones.

"He's off contract at the end of this year and we're in discussions with the ARU and we're also talking to a number of clubs in Europe and Japan," Jones said. "He is keen to play in next year's World Cup and at this stage his future is very much in rugby. This next deal will probably be his last and he needs to set both himself and his family up for life after rugby."

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