Melbourne Rebels sign Japanese international Male Sau

MELBOURNE Rebels have capped a dream 24 hours by signing Japanese international Male Sau.

New Melbourne Rebels signing Male Sau

MELBOURNE Rebels have capped a dream 24 hours by signing Japanese international Male Sau.

New Zealand-born Sau will join the Rebels immediately, bolstering an exciting young squad that thumped Central Cheetahs 35-14 last night.

Sau, 26, can play either at fly half or in the centres and has excelled at international level since moving to Japan to play for Yamaha Jubilo in 2008.

Sau represented Counties Manukau in New Zealand’s ITM Cup, as well as representing NZ at several under-age levels.

The back played alongside All Blacks Ben Smith and Colin Slade in the world champion 2009 New Zealand under-20 team as well as Scott Fuglistaller in the Kiwi under-19s side.

Chased by Samoa, Sa has since played 13 Tests for Japan, some alongside fellow Rebel Shota Horie.

Sau said he is excited at joining the Rebels.

“We’ve only just finished our season here in Japan, so like Tamati Ellison when he arrived, I’m match fit,” he said.

“I think I will adapt fair quickly, and I hope that I will be able to perform well at Super Rugby level. I’m really excited to be a part of the Rebels nation.”

Sau will play Dewar Shield Rugby for the Box Hill Broncos.