Higginbotham (C) is Perth bound for the 2013 Super Rugby season

THE REBELS have signed outstanding Wallabies flanker Scott Higginbotham to a two-year deal, with the player set to join the Club for the 2013 season.

Higginbotham was an ever-present in the 2011 Reds team that won the Super Rugby title, playing a pivotal role in their success and finishing the season as their leading try-scorer.

Head Coach Damien Hill believes Higginbotham’s ability will compliment the skill set currently in the squad.

“Scott’s a current Test player who we’re confident will add to the culture of the Melbourne Rebels,” said Hill. “He’s had an exciting last couple of seasons where he’s proved to be an aggressive, hard working player, excelling as a ball-runner with the versatility of covering 6 and 8.

“We believe Scott is a player whose best football is in front of him, he is without doubt a player on the rise, and we’re all very excited about the news he will be joining us next season.”

Standing at 195cm and weighing in at 110kg, Higginbotham is renowned for his incredible athleticism and world-class skills for such a big man.

He played his first Test for the Wallabies from the bench in a 59-16 thumping of the French in 2010, before getting his first start in the 2011 Tri-Series victory over South Africa in Durban.

Higginbotham has since gone on to play 11 Tests for Australia.

Scott Higginbotham – [25]
Height: 195cm
Weight: 110kg
Super Rugby debut: 2008
Super Rugby Caps: 59
Test debut: 2010
Test Caps: 11