The Melbourne Rebels have confirmed former Wallabies, Brumbies and Western Force hooker, Nathan Charles, as the club’s new mid-season signing.
Charles arrives in Melbourne from English Premiership club Bath and is expected to bolster the squad’s hooker stocks in light of injury to Jordan Uelese (arm) and incumbent Sama Malolo, who will return to international duties with the Junior Wallabies to compete in the Oceania Rugby U20s Championships.
Nathan Charles joins Super Rugby franchise Melbourne Rebels after Bath Rugby departure https://t.co/1LcmWdWrFp pic.twitter.com/ZbMI7YCz33
— BathRugbyNews (@bathrugby_news) May 1, 2018
Charles brings huge Super Rugby experience to the Rebels. After being signed to the Brumbies in 2008, the Sydney native relocated to Perth to make his top-flight debut in 2010, making 86 Super Rugby appearances for the Western Force.
In 2014, he made his Test debut for the Wallabies against France, coming off the bench for Stephen Moore, and has four Test caps.
General Manager – Rugby, Nick Ryan said he looked forward to the experienced Charles making an impact at his third Super Rugby club.
The Rebels are delighted to welcome experienced former Wallabies hooker, Nathan Charles as a mid-season signing. #NeverBackDownhttps://t.co/OhXC4QLPPJ
— Melbourne Rebels (@MelbourneRebels) May 1, 2018
“We are fortunate to add an experienced player like Nathan to our squad mid-season and we look forward to him adding depth and competition in our hooking ranks,” Ryan said.
“We have identified our set piece work as an area of improvement. We see Nathan being a great acquisition in support of Anaru (Rangi), and in the absence of Jordan and Sama.”
The Rebels host eight-time Super Rugby champions, the Crusaders at AAMI Park this Friday.