Toolis signs two year deal with Rebels

The Melbourne Rebels have looked to replenish their lock stocks with Queenslander Alex Toolis, bringing the Edinburgh second-rower back to Australia.

The two-metre, 117kg lock has been plying his trade for Edinburgh in the Pro12 since 2013, though also played on-loan to London Irish in 2014.

Brisbane-born Toolis will join the Rebels for two seasons from 2017, making his first Victorian appearances in the upcoming NRC for Melbourne Rising, and going some way to replacing departed second rower Luke Jones.

Rebels head coach Tony McGahan said Toolis would be a great addition to the emerging Rebels forward pack in the years to come.

“Alex is an athletic and skilled lock who will bring strong set piece experience to the Melbourne Rebels and a hungry attitude to succeed in the world’s toughest Rugby competition,” McGahan said.

This will be Toolis’s first professional contract in Australia, with the 24-year-old heading straight to Scotland after helping Queensland’s GPS club to back-to-back premier grade finals.

Toolis, whose twin brother Ben has found success in Scotland, notching a Test in his adopted rugby home, said he was keen to test himself in Super Rugby.

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“Playing in Europe was a great experience and helped develop my game but I’m excited by the opportunity to return home and test myself against the world’s best players with the Melbourne Rebels,” Toolis said.