The Melbourne Rebels are excited to announce the re-signing of James Tuttle, with the scrum-half committing to continue his playing career in Melbourne for at least the next two seasons.
Tuttle has been one of the Rebels’ most important players this season, playing twelve matches, making eight starts, while forming an important partnership with the emerging Carter Gordon at the backend of the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Today’s announcement continues an exciting week for the Melbourne Rebels following Brad Wilkin’s re-commitment on Wednesday.
Melbourne Rebels Head Coach Kevin Foote said the Club was delighted to retain a player of Tuttle’s calibre.
“It’s fantastic to have Bobby re-commit to the Rebels, especially after such a strong season where he’s pushed for starting selection in every game,” said Foote.
“Bobby is a team-first, high-character guy, who’s one of our strongest Club leaders, so it’s exciting he wants to remain part of what we’re building here at the Melbourne Rebels.”
A St Joseph's Nudgee College product and former Queensland Country Captain, Tuttle possesses an impressive junior background, having represented the Australian Schoolboys in 2013, before playing a starring role for the Junior Wallabies in the 2015 Under-20 World Championships.
The next year Tuttle would make his Super Rugby debut, running out for the Queensland Reds at just nineteen-years-old. Tuttle would go on to make 24 appearances over the next four seasons before suffering back-to-back ruptured Achilles.
In 2020, Tuttle would move to Melbourne where he has since gone on to play 25 games over three seasons.
A beloved figure at the Club, Tuttle’s value extends far beyond just the playing field, with the twenty-six-year-old considered one of the Rebels’ most influential and respected voices amongst the playing group.
As he approaches the final match of his seventh year in Super Rugby, Tuttle says he’s excited to continue growing in the sporting capital of Australia.
“There’s enormous, unreached potential in this playing group and a game model that is getting better every week, so that was really appealing,” said Tuttle.
“Our coaching group have put in so much effort towards getting each individual better, which creates an environment you want to be a part of.
“The next two years I really want to experience success on the field that I know this group is capable of, and also help continue to grow the game here in Victoria."
