Vodafone Flying Fijians flyhalf, Ben Volavola has signed a one‑year contract with Australian Super Rugby side Melbourne Rebels following an unsuccessful stint in New Zealand with the Crusaders.
The 25‑year‑old, who started in all four of Fiji's games at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, had joined the seven‑time champion Crusaders from the New South Wales Waratahs to help fill the void left by the departure of All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter.
However, he struggled to get regular playing time in Christchurch where local Richie Mo'unga was preferred ahead of him.
Volavola says he is excited by the chance to grow his game at a club that has a great record for nurturing and developing elite players under head coach Tony McGahan.
The Rebels open the Super Rugby season against the Blues on February 23rd before travelling to Wellington to play 2016 champions the Hurricanes.