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http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/rug...-1226704586171
SITALEKI Timani will remain in Australian rugby next season, and is close to signing with Melbourne Rebels after his huge money deal with French club Montpellier fell through.
In a massive development for Australian rugby, Timani could now be considered by Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie for the coming Rugby Championship games.
McKenzie had ignored Timani in his squad for the Bledisloe Cup given he was due to leave for France, a fair call given the giant lock would not have been a selection for the future.
But now Timani will remain in Australia in 2014, he will surely be in contention for a return to the gold jersey in coming weeks.
Timani had reached an agreement to join Montpellier on a massive three-year deal worth a rumoured $2.4 million, and was set to play his first match for them in October.
However it emerged Monday night that deal is no longer on the table, but the reasons were unclear. It was suggested by one source that injury history may have played a role.
The Telegraph understands Timani is already in advanced discussions with the Rebels, where his younger brother Lopeti is already signed for the next two seasons.
The Waratahs, who are short on second-rowers due to Timani’s departure, would be furious if the 26-year-old joined their Super Rugby rival.
Timani was recently left out of NSW’s end-of-season tour to Argentina in the belief he was departing the club for France.
The Tongan-born star has instead been playing in the Shute Shield for Southern Districts, and last Saturday produced a powerhouse performance in his side’s defeat to Eastwood.
Given Timani had announced his departure, NSW coach Michael Cheika recently signed South African lock/backrower Jacques Potgieter.
Thumb surgery kept Timani out of the British & Irish Lions series, and his presence was sorely missed.
Timani, at 203cm and 120kg, is viewed as a key member of the Wallabies forward pack, particularly given his abrasiveness and power in the scrums.
Lopeti Timani decided to join Melbourne due to limited game-time under Cheika at NSW, and was not sighted in the blue jersey following his announcement.
Sitaleki would be keen to reunite with his sibling, and Melbourne has some money to spare after they released international stars James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale – who announced last week he was re-joining NSW.
But even so, Timani will be remaining in Australia for much less than he expected to earn in France, where they place much greater value on tight-five forwards.
Given he would be remaining in Australia, Timani could negotiate an ARU top-up to his deal depending on if McKenzie has plans would be for him.
If Timani secures a Super Rugby deal soon and McKenzie is interested, he could even be drafted into the Wallabies squad for the Test against the Springboks in a fortnight in Brisbane.
Timani was introduced to the Test arena by former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, and worked closely with then Wallabies coaching co-ordinator Tony McGahan, who is now head coach of Melbourne.
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