Saturday, April 20, 2013

Melbourne Rebels - NEWS.com.au




Faingaa


Sea change ... Brumbies forward Colby Faingaa will link up with Melbourne Rebels in 2014. Source: AAP




Melbourne Rebels have snapped up Brumbies back-rower Colby Faingaa for 2014 as the former Australian Under-20 captain searches for more Super Rugby game time.

























































































































































































Australia ConferenceWLDPDBPPts
1Brumbies61284335
2Reds62113333
3Waratahs440-33125
4Melbourne Rebels260-96319
5Western Force270-46416
New Zealand ConferenceWLDPDBPPts
1Blues43049731
2Chiefs53071630
3Hurricanes530-3327
4Crusaders44052626
5Highlanders080-8626
South Africa ConferenceWLDPDBPPts
1Bulls53035428
2Cheetahs630-2327
3Sharks53051327
4Stormers3401424
5Southern Kings251-90115



Hemmed in behind world-class Wallabies flankers David Pocock and George Smith this year, Faingaa has signed a one-year deal with the Rebels.


The younger brother of Wallabies Saia and Anthony Faingaa, the 22-year-old is in his fourth Super Rugby season but a serious foot injury and competition with Pocock, Smith and Michael Hooper has seen him start less than half of his 26 caps.


He again came off the bench in the Brumbies' 19-19 draw with the Queensland Reds on Saturday night, replacing Fotu Auelua at blindside flanker midway through the second half.


With Melbourne captain Gareth Delve's foreign marquee deal ending this season, Rebels coach Damien Hill hailed Faingaa as a great signing for the club, especially due to his versatility.


"He is a tremendous openside flanker, who can cover all positions in the back-row, which is a skill not many forwards possess in this competition," Hill said.


"At 22 years of age, he has waited patiently behind some very capable footballers and I am sure that his patience will be rewarded with an opportunity."


No.8 Delve is set to make a welcome return from injury against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Sunday and bolster the back-row alongside Scott Higginbotham.


The table-topping Brumbies also confirmed on the weekend that tighthead prop Dan Palmer and lock/flanker Peter Kimlin will join French club Grenoble at the end of the season.




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