ABC | March 31, 2010

Former Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock has signed a three-year deal with Melbourne's new Super rugby team.

Mortlock's Brumbies team-mates Rocky Elsom and Stephen Hoiles have also been linked to the club.

The Rebels will join the Super 15 competition next year.

The 32-year-old Brumbies centre has also re-signed with the ARU for another year, taking him through until the end of the 2011 World Cup.

Rebels coach Rod MacQueen said it was a great signing coup for the fledgling club.

"I actually was the person who signed Stirling to the Brumbies and the Wallabies, so this is the third time round," he said.

"I'm really looking forward to it, I think he's done a fantastic job for the Brumbies as have the Brumbies for him.

"But instead of going overseas and seeing out his career there, he'll see it out in Melbourne."

MacQueen told Grandstand Mortlock's role may extend off the field if the 32-year-old's form tapers off in the later years of the contract.

"In the third year, he might be in another capacity within the organisation at that stage," he said.

"He brings with him a lot of expertise and he'll be a great acquisition for the side.

"It's also a good start for him to get into business and life after rugby. It just depends on how he goes; the main thing for us is that he's playing really well.

"It'll be great if we get three years out of him but if we don't from that perspective he'll have another role to play."