Rebels sign former Reds back Campbell Magnay

The Melbourne Rebels have confirmed that talented back Campbell Magnay as their latest recruit for the 2019 Super Rugby season.

Magnay was a highly-rated junior prospect and began to make a mark with the U20s before he opted to head to the Japanese Top League.

“I’m happy to be returning to Super Rugby in 2019 and very privileged to be welcomed to Melbourne. The Rebels is a pretty impressive set up with their players, coaches and management and I’m looking forward to joining the squad early in the new year,” said Magnay.

“I’ve enjoyed my time in Japan and embracing a new experience, but I was always hoping to return. My time away has strengthened my desire to consolidate myself in Australian Rugby and to work hard aspiring towards the Wallabies. The conversations with Dave (Wessels) and the Rebels recruitment staff made the decision to become a Rebel a clear winner for me.”

Bursting onto the national radar as a high school rugby prodigy at Nudgee College, Magnay attracted enough attention to be signed by the QLD Reds at just seventeen years of age.

Accruing seventeen Super Rugby caps over three Super Rugby seasons in red, Magnay then announced he would be leaving Australia in 2017 for a chance to play with Japanese heavyweights Suntory Sungoliath.

His development as a player in Japan did not go unnoticed by Rebels coach David Wessels.

“Campbell left Australia with a lot of promise and a growing reputation as being a super talent. He’s gone away and broadened his life experiences and now he has the opportunity to get back into Super Rugby and work hard to challenge for a place in our team.

“He could’ve gone to another club that might have had an easier path to game time but he wants to come here to challenge himself and to be the best player he can be,” said Wessels.

Two seasons with Suntory afforded the 195cm twenty-one-year-old two titles and regular playing time outside of former Wallaby Matt Giteau.

“The Japanese Top League is very fast and technically precise. The teams in Japan shouldn’t be underestimated and I can see now how they can often surprise favoured visiting teams. I’m now coming back fitter and faster and I think the experience has made me a much more well-rounded player,” observed Magnay.

“It’s going to be a great challenge for me with the roster the Rebels have to make the team and to work hard to make a solid contribution. I can’t wait,” said Magnay.