Melbourne Rebels sign All Blacks centre Tamati Ellison on one-year deal for 2014

MELBOURNE Rebels have pulled off a major coup with the signing of All Blacks centre Tamati Ellison on a one-year deal.

Tamati Ellison

MELBOURNE Rebels have pulled off a major coup with the signing of Highlanders centre Tamati Ellison on a one-year deal.

Ellison, who has played four Tests for the All Blacks, will add a wealth of experience to the Rebels' backline following the departures of Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor.

The former Highlanders star is currently playing with the Ricoh Black Rams in Japan’s Top League.

New Rebels coach Tony McGahan was thrilled to have secured Ellison for next season.

"Tamati has the ability to play at a high level across a number of positions in the backline, which makes him a very important part of a Super XV squad in such a fast and demanding competition," McGahan said.

"He is a player who likes to express himself on the rugby field, and with this he will fit into the type of rugby we aim to play next season."

Ellison has 77 caps for the Highlanders and will link up with the Rebels in their 2014 pre-season.

"My family and I are really excited about moving to Melbourne and the new opportunities that lay ahead," Ellison said from Japan.

"The Rebels are building a very competitive team, and I'm looking forward to being a part of that."