Rebels sign Wilkin & Roach

The Melbourne Rebels have added talented hooker Hugh Roach and promising young back rower Brad Wilkin to their 2019 Super Rugby squad.

At 26 years of age, Roach joins the Rebels and will be the Club’s most experienced rake having earned 40 Super Rugby caps for the Waratahs since his debut in the championship winning team of 2014.

Roach represented Australia on an incredible 11 occasions at Schoolboys level and was selected in two Australian Under 20’s teams, before transitioning to the highly regarded Shute Shield in 2013 where he won the league’s Rookie of the Year award. 

Roach says he is thrilled at the opportunity to join the Rebels, and has an eye on being apart of an exciting Rebels squad.

“I’m wrapt to be able to call Melbourne home next year. The Rebels are definitely a Club on the rise and I want to add real value to the squad,” said Roach.

“I feel like this new challenge is the right move for my career and it will be a great test to join the young and abrasive pack the Rebels are building. I really want to cement my spot as a permanent member of the 23 and I really can’t wait to get started.”

Wilkin comes from a similar background of junior excellence, having been an Australian Schoolboys representative in 2012 and 2013, as well an Australian Under 20’s representative in 2015 and is a capped Australian Sevens player.

After overcoming two ACL injuries to make his Super Rugby in 2018, the 22-year old says he is desperate to make the most of his two seasons in Melbourne. 

“I was stoked to make my Super Rugby debut this year and to win the Shute Shield with Sydney University. I want to continue to improve and have huge aspirations of what I want to achieve in Rugby and I have heard great things about the program in Melbourne that makes me want to be a part of it.” 

“I’ve had a frustrating couple of years with injury, but I’ve got my body right and I really want to repay the faith the Rebels have put in me with my performances on the park for them over the next two years.”