Super Rugby

Veainu signs with Melbourne Rebels

Telusa Veainu (l) has been in excellent try-scoring form for Hawke's Bay © Getty Images Enlarge News: Hore set to retire from top-flight rugby

Hawke's Bay wing Telusa Veainu has signed a two-year Super Rugby contract with the Melbourne Rebels.

Veainu, 22, will join the Australian franchise as a developing foreign player, adding to a number of New Zealand players on their books. He scored 21 tries in 34 games over three NPC campaigns with Canterbury and has already crossed four times in Hawke's Bay's first six games this season after shifting to Napier.

Veainu, who made a handful of late-season Super Rugby appearances for the Crusaders this year, is an excellent signing according to Rebels general manager of rugby, Sam Cordingley.

"His record and try scoring ratio at ITM Cup level is outstanding, and we have no doubt he can translate that form onto the Super Rugby stage for our members here in Melbourne."

Three other Kiwis are on the Rebels books for next year - fullback Jason Woodward, centre Tamati Ellison and flanker Scott Fuglistaller.

© AAP