The Melbourne Rebels are thrilled to confirm another major signing for their 2024 Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific campaign, with All Black Matt Proctor committing to the Club.
The hard running centre has signed a two-year-deal and will remain a Melbourne Rebel until at least the end of 2025.
Proctor returns to the Super Rugby stage following four seasons in the English Premiership, playing for the Northampton Saints, alongside Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who signed with the Rebels in June, and Wallabies star, Andrew Kellaway.
A powerful, bone-crunching back carrying a wealth of international experience, Proctor began his professional career playing for the Wellington Hurricanes.
After scoring a try on debut in 2013, Proctor quickly became a key contributor for the Hurricanes, helping his hometown side clinch their maiden Super Rugby title in 2016.
Proctor made his international debut two years later, running out for the All Blacks in their 2018 clash against Japan, finding the line once again.
Looking ahead to life as a Melbourne Rebel, Proctor said he was excited to relocate to one of the best cities in the world, and join a program suited to his playing style.
“I’m looking forward to my return to Super Rugby,” said Proctor.
“The project at Melbourne Rebels is a great fit for me and the city is somewhere my family will be very happy.
“I’ve experienced a different style of footy over the past four seasons playing in the UK, which has been massive for my development as a player and a person, so I’ll be returning to Super Rugby a more experienced and well rounded player.
“This is a new and exciting challenge for me and I can't wait to get started at the Rebels.”
Melbourne Rebels Head Coach, Kevin Foote, welcomed Proctor’s style of play and competitiveness as valuable additions to the Rebels 2024 squad.
“We’re thrilled to sign someone of Matt’s calibre, both as a player and a person,” said Foote.
“Matt Proctor is someone who is team-first and hungry to achieve with the Rebels, and will bring invaluable top level experience having played on the Super Rugby, English Championship and Test stages.
“We believe Matt’s style of play - his explosive ball carrying and resolute defensive prowess - synergises perfectly with our game model - fast, fearless and resolute.
“We’re excited to welcome Matt and his beautiful family to our Rebels family here in Melbourne and look forward to getting to work with him in preparation for season 2024.”
Today’s announcement caps an exciting few months for the Rebels, following the recent signings of Wallabies' trio Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Filipo Daugunu and Taniela Tupou, and Australian Sevens and Junior Wallabies star Darby Lancaster.
This follows the key re-signings of Wallabies squad members Josh Kemeny, Jordan Uelse, Pone Fa’amausili, Josh Canham and Lachie Anderson, Junior Wallabies duo David Vaihu and Mason Gordon, and rising stars David Feliuai, Angelo Smith and Joe Pincus.
The Melbourne Rebels can also reveal there are more exciting announcements to come as our Club looks to round out our 2024 Super Rugby Pacific squad.
