Rebels reveal Genia's replacement

TRANSFER NEWS: Melbourne Rebels will have a new face at scrumhalf for next season.

With Will Genia expected to play in Japan next year and Michael Ruru off to France, Rebels have opted to snap up Fiji’s World Cup scrumhalf Frank Lomani.

Lomani, who signed a two-year Super Rugby deal with the franchise, will likely tussle with Harrison Goddard for the starting jersey.

Lomani was the 2018 NRC player of the year after guiding the Fijian Drua to last year’s title.

The 23-year-old, who hails from Nukubalavu, about an hour from Suva, said he was excited to be calling Melbourne home for the next few years.

“Signing with the Melbourne Rebels is a dream come true for me,” Lomani said.

“I’m looking forward to developing my game in a world-class environment and picking up as much as I can from my new teammates.”

Lomani, who earned selection for the Barbarians last year against Argentina, said he was excited to test himself in Super Rugby.

Melbourne Rebels general manager Nick Ryan was excited to have finally landed his man.

“Frank is a guy we’ve had our eye on for a while now, particularly after the way he dominated the NRC last season,” Ryan said.

“Spending so much time in the national squad has certainly fast-tracked his development.

“There’s no doubt he will emerge as one of the bright stars at this year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan.”

AAP

SIGNED, SEALED & DELIVERED

Fiji international scrumhalf Frank Lomani will be calling Melbourne home from 2020 🌴

Read more here: https://t.co/H2d10Iq8G7 pic.twitter.com/yXpChWsZ3K

— Melbourne Rebels (@MelbourneRebels) June 28, 2019