Rugby: Harbour lock signs with Rebels

James King. Photo / Getty Images

James King might sport the most colourful headgear on the field but he has failed to attract the attention of a Super Rugby coach in New Zealand and will play for the Melbourne Rebels next year.

The 24-year-old North Harbour lock, who wears a garish licorice allsorts-coloured headgear to get himself noticed, has signed a two-year deal with the Rebels and will join them in October.

He was named in the 2009 New Zealand Rugby Almanack as one of their promising players of the year and was touted by some, including former Harbour coach Craig Dowd, as a future All Black. But King underwent shoulder surgery soon after that breakthrough season and has struggled to regain the sort of form that prompted many to speak so highly of him.

He was part of the Blues' wider training squad over the past two seasons and made four appearances off the bench in 2011.

"I would have preferred to stay in New Zealand if I could but none of the New Zealand Super franchises were keen on me for one reason or another,'' King said. "The Rebels said they were impressed with how I had gone with the Blues in the game time I had and would love to have me over there. I'm quite excited to get over there and be part of starting something at the Rebels. They can't go anywhere but up from here.

"It's been a tough couple of years since my shoulder surgery and I haven't quite got back to the form I was in. That's been frustrating. I just want that crack. I am excited to be going over there and starting again.''

Blues coach Pat Lam didn't seem to have faith in King, and plumped for No 8 Chris Lowrey to play in the second row when faced with a locking crisis towards the end of the last campaign. King's agent approached the Blues about playing for them next season but was told they had plenty of tall timber with the likes of Ali Williams, Anthony Boric and Liaki Moli on the books.

King is both athletic and abrasive - the 2m, 111kg second-rower was once described as Isaac Ross but with grunt - and he hopes his agility will provide the Rebels with a point of difference . He replaces former All Blacks and Chiefs lock Kevin O'Neill, who played one season for the Rebels.

"When you get in a new environment, no one will know who I am, so I see it as a chance to impress,'' King said. "I'm looking forward to that. I have always been a bit different in terms of my agility as a lock.

"In Australia they are quite big boys and I play a little differently to them so I'm hoping what they see is new and something they like.''

The Rebels finished bottom of the Australian conference, with three wins in their 18 games.