Rebels re-sign Placid for Super Rugby until 2017

Melbourne Super Rugby franchise the Rebels have signed young outside back Jonah
Placid until at least the end of the 2017 Super Rugby season.

Placid becomes the eighteenth player to commit to the Melbourne Super Rugby
Club.

20 year old Placid, who was the youngest member of the Rebels’ squad
in 2015, moved to Melbourne twelve months ago and made two Super Rugby appearances
for the Rebels in his maiden campaign, scoring a try on his Rebels debut as
he started against the Lions at AAMI Park.

He also played seven times for the Melbourne Rising in the 2014 Buildcorp National
Rugby Championship (NRC) and starred for Australia at the World Rugby U20s Championships
in Italy, scoring five tries and being shortlisted as one of four nominees for
the World U20 Player of the Year award.

“I was very keen to extend my contract at the Rebels,” Placid said.

“I’ve loved it down here in Melbourne since my very first week
this time last year, and I’m pleased to stay and continue to develop within
a team that is building a strong culture on and off the field.

“I’ve made some really close friends already, particularly among
my fellow first and second year players,and I’m also very fortunate to
have a number of role models and people I look up to here in Melbourne at the
Rebels, including Mitch Inman and Scott Fuglistaller.

“Mitch and Scott are two very different blokes who have had a great influence
on me; Mitch has really tucked me under his wing on the field, while Scott is
just a great all-round leader who I look up to a lot in everything he does.”

Rebel Number 80, Placid’s season was interrupted by a mid-season groin
setback, however he successfully returned to fitness via the Direct Connect
Dewar Shield, where he represented Grand Finalists Melbourne Uni, before heading
to Italy for the World Rugby U20s Championships.

All in all it was a strong first campaign in Melbourne for Placid, and Rebels’
Head Coach Tony McGahan said Placid’s commitment to improve and dedication
to his craft are exciting signs for the Club.

“Jonah’s first year at the Rebels has been an important learning
experience,” McGahan said. “He has learnt a lot about the work that
is required to play Super 15 successfully, and how to apply that across all
elements of his personal preparation.

“We love what he can bring to us as an individual player, and what he
adds to the off field experience here in Melbourne. Jonah wants to continue
to get better and realise his potential, and that’s the type of player
we want to ensure we keep here at the Rebels.

“We’re all very much looking forward to his continued progression
and watching him continue to mature as a player and a person, right here in
Melbourne.”

Placid’s goals for next season and beyond in Melbourne are characteristically
unselfish.

“For me, my goal in 2016 is to be the best player I can be on and off
the field,” he said. “I need to get my fitness and preparation right
to achieve what I can do, and also help all of my teammates whether I’m
in the matchday 23 or not so we can achieve as much as possible.”