Waratahs unveil new signing

TRANSFER NEWS: The Waratahs confirmed the signing of Robbie Abel from the Melbourne Rebels on a two-year contract.

New coach Rob Penney continues to strengthen his forward pack for the 2020 Super Rugby season.

Currently plying his trade for Auckland in the NPC, Abel will link up with the Waratahs at the end of November to begin the 2020 pre-season.

Having previously had stints with the Brumbies and Rebels in Super Rugby, Abel has featured prominently in the National Rugby Championship (NRC) and the NPC in New Zealand – winning a premiership with Auckland in 2018.

Originally growing up in Orange in Country New South Wales (NSW), Abel was an Australian Schoolboy out of St Edmund's College in Canberra and went on representing the Maori All Blacks on three occasions in 2018.

Waratahs Head Coach, Rob Penney said that Abel’s hard edge and reliability would be a great addition to his squad.

“Robbie is a player I’ve had an awareness of for some time, he’s put his hand up for a Super Rugby contract off the back of some really solid performances for Auckland,” said Penney.

“He’s got a reputation as a player who doesn’t shirk his carries and is a powerful defender.

“Super Rugby is one of the toughest competitions in the world and the physicality that Robbie brings will be important for us, along with his quality at the set piece and his experience from here in Australia and New Zealand.

“In Robbie and Damien [Fitzpatrick] we have two quality, experienced hookers who will drive high standards not only within their own position, but across our group of tight five players.”

Abel said he was excited to be joining the Waratahs in 2020.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back into Super Rugby in 2020,” Abel said.

“I had the opportunity to play a handful of Shute Shield games with two of my brothers last year, I really enjoyed being involved in the rugby community with the Waratahs and want to give back in any way that I can.

“I’ve had plenty of tough battles with them [Waratahs sides] in previous years, and it’s a real honour to now be representing an organisation like the Waratahs.

“I’m excited to get stuck into pre-season in November, I’ve heard a lot of great things about the playing group and working with the coaching group that Rob [Penney] has put together is only going to benefit my game.”

Abel will see out the NPC with Auckland before joining the Waratahs in November, while also returning to Gordon in the Shute Shield for 2020.