'They're going to get some big names': Rebels will chase Wallaby and All Black stars

The struggling Melbourne Rebels picked up their third win of the season over Moana Pasifika but former Wallaby Tim Horan says that the club is already looking at a big recruitment drive for next year and beyond.

With the traditional big three clubs back to strength in the Australian conference, the Reds, the Brumbies and the Waratahs, the Rebels are looking to chase ‘three or four big names’ to get back into contention.

Horan said that the club is looking at luring a couple of high profile Wallabies to Melbourne and even suggested they should chase a halfback like All Black TJ Perenara.

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“We know they do so much off the field, the Rebels, with the Women’s game and the juniors,” Horan said on Stan Sport.

“Looking forward, that was a good win [over Moana Pasifika] and a bit of momentum. Nick Stiles as General Manager is starting to look further to next year and the year after.

“He’s going to chase Samu Kerevi, they’re good mates, he’s coached him a long time. He wants to get Samu Kerevi back.

“Taniela Tupou, potentially, to the Rebels as well, there is a bit of a talk about that.

“They’re going to get some big names.”

Stan Sport host Nick McArdle was surprised at the ‘massive names’ being thrown around and took a moment to question Horan on whether this is actually happening.

The Rebels have always been a destination for high profile names without a steady pool of local talent to draw on. Stars such as Kurtley Beale, James O’Conner, Quade Cooper and Will Genia have all had stints at the club in the past.

“Well, they have to,” Horan responded.

“Nick Stiles is a very astute coach but also now as General Manager, he’s trying to look to the future for next year.

“They need a really big No 8, go and get a scrumhalf like TJ Perenara, go and find someone, a Kiwi, bring them out.

“Get Samu Kerevi, he won’t be right for next year’s Super Rugby but maybe after that.

“They need three of four big names and they are going to chase them.”

TJ Perenara completed a successful stint in Japan last year with the Red Hurricanes, helping the Top League underdogs make a substantial playoff push and has since returned to New Zealand with his hometown Hurricanes.

Wallaby midfielder Samu Kerevi is still in Japan with one of the top clubs, Suntory Sungoliath, but was called upon last year by Dave Rennie and made a successful return to international rugby.

Taniela Tupou has been with the Reds since leaving high school but was coached by Nick Stiles in his formative years at the club.