Melbourne Rebels CEO Baden Stephenson says the signing of former Wallabies star Quade Cooper will give the club, as well as the game of rugby union in Melbourne, a shot in the arm.
The Rebels announced the capture of the fly-half on a one-year deal after being released by his former club the Queensland Reds.
Stephenson is confident the additions of Cooper and Wallabies scrum-half Will Genia can help the Super Rugby club forge an identity in a city with a clustered sporting market.
“We were thrilled to announce Quade yesterday,” Stephenson told SEN Afternoons.
“We’re aware that we need some high-profile players and names that people want to come and watch and hopefully grow the game here in Melbourne.
“Quade and the likes of Will Genia, Adam Coleman and Reece Hodge, they’re household names in the rugby world but probably not quite as much in Melbourne.
“That’s part of our opportunity in 2019 and we’re thrilled to have some high-quality names on the list.”
Cooper, 30, has won 70 caps for Australia and made 119 appearances for the Reds across 11 seasons.
The Rebels finished 9th in the overall Super Rugby standings last season.
Listen to Baden Stephenson’s chat on SEN Afternoons with Brett Phillips in the player below