Rugby: Rebels sign former All Black

Greg Somerville's signing is good news for the Melbourne Rebels. Photo / Kenny Rodger

As disgraced chief executive Brian Waldron exited the Melbourne Rebels, rugby's Super 15 expansion franchise welcomed their first New Zealand recruits.

Former All Blacks prop Greg Somerville and New Zealand Maori lock Hoani MacDonald were today unveiled as the latest additions to head coach Rod Macqueen's roster, hours after Waldron resigned as the fallout over his role in the Melbourne Storm's salary cap rort continued.

Waldron, the Storm's chief executive when the club started systematically flouting the National Rugby League's (NRL) salary cap five years ago, cleared his desk this morning just three months into his new assignment.

In brighter news for the Rebels, Somerville's rumoured relocation from England to Melbourne was finally confirmed.

The most-capped All Blacks prop has agreed to a two-year deal, a move that makes him ineligible for next year's World Cup as the New Zealand Rugby Union will not select overseas-based players.

Adept at playing both sides of the front row, Somerville made the last of his 66 test appearances in the Bledisloe Cup test against Australia at Hong Kong in 2008.

The 32-year-old then joined English premiership club Gloucester before expressing a desire to return closer to home.

Macqueen had been keen to sign the veteran as a foundation member of the franchise.

"We've earmarked certain players we think would be ideal for a start-up franchise and Greg fits that bill," Macqueen said.

"There are few better in understanding scrums. Rugby is still about foundations and as far as scrummaging is concerned I could not have thought of a better man.

"He'll bring a good culture to the side as well."

MacDonald, a rugged lock for Southland and the Highlanders, has also been lured closer to home after a stint the Newport-Gwent Dragons in Wales.

Macqueen also welcomed MacDonald's recruitment, saying his experience would be invaluable during the Rebels' first two seasons.

"We've got to be competitive from day one so these types of players are going to be very important to us," he said.

The New Zealand duo join pack resources already featuring Wales No 8 Gareth Delve plus Wallabies and Waratahs hooker Adam Freier and Queensland tighthead prop Laurie Weeks.

Macqueen said he expected more New Zealanders to join the Rebels ahead of the squad's first training run on October 1.

- NZPA