SYDNEY - Wallabies lock Adam Coleman on Thursday signed a deal to join the Melbourne Rebels and stay with the Australian national team for the 2019 World Cup.
The 26-year-old's move from Western Force will reunite him with Dave Wessels, his former mentor at the defunct Perth team.
When the Force were culled in a Super Rugby shake-up, there were fears Coleman would accept a big-money offer from overseas, effectively ending his 20-Test international career.
He said Wessel's presence helped lure him to the Rebels.
"Obviously Dave was a big factor, but I definitely wanted to stay in Australian rugby," he said.
"I love playing in the gold jersey for the Wallabies and I think we're building something special for the 2019 Rugby World Cup."
Coleman is the 11th player to follow Wessels from the Force to the Rebels.
"Adam is a special player with a huge future ahead of him for the Wallabies and Rebels," Wessels said.