Skysport.co.nz reports that Star Waratahs full-back Kurtley Beale will link with the Melbourne Rebels from next season after agreeing to a lucrative deal with the Rod Macqueen-coached club on Wednesday afternoon.
The 22-year-old, who has been linked with a move to the Western Force as well as NRL club South Sydney, was on the verge of re-signing with the Waratahs last week before the Rebels made a late play for his services.
Beale emerged as a genuine superstar last season, cementing the No.15 jersey for the Wallabies and earning a nomination for the prestigious IRB Player of the Year award.
The former schoolboy prodigy has amassed 58 appearances in five seasons for the Waratahs since making his debut as a precocious 17-year-old in 2007.
His decision to defect south of the border is sure to fuel speculation fellow superstars and close friends James O’Connor and Quade Cooper, who have both been linked with the Rebels, will join Beale in Melbourne next season.
And one day, in the not to distant future, Australia will have 5 average teams.
I don’t know what he is thinking?!
Maybe he saw the threat of Adam Ashley-Cooper who has now signed with the Waratahs…
What a crock, he’s mad to leave the tahs….I wonder how long its going to be before the aussies move on our mvovo’s and marcel coetzee’s?
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 1) : Nice!
the $$$$$$$$$$ is talking tohim.. wrong move in my opinion..
Well the Rebels have proved themselves so far give in time they will beat some of the Big teams
I will be cynical on this call; no such thing as a wrong move when money is involved. He is an individual and will receive license to remain such under Rod who is a Nick Mallet of the ozzie world, a real coach with real people skill, The Rebels will be big fish before soon, and now they’ve hooked a superstar who’s still young.
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 7) :
Agreed DD …. What a signing !
@chaz (Comment 6) :
Just very pleased he is not playing for them this weekend !
Have all 3 of them signed for the Rebels? Is it a sure thing?