Prop Ben Daley jumps Force ship for Rebels

Prop Ben Daley has left axed Super Rugby franchise the Western Force to join the Melbourne Rebels.

Former Australian player Ben Daley will leave the axed Western Force for the Melbourne Rebels. (AAP)

Former Wallaby Ben Daley has become the first player to leave the Western Force since their Super Rugby axing, signing with Melbourne.

Prop Daley has joined the Rebels on a two-year deal after playing eight games with the Force since landing in Perth at the end of 2016.

"I'm grateful to the Western Force and their supporters for the incredible support this year," Daley said on Wednesday in a statement.

"But given the current situation, I had to make the difficult decision in the best interest of my family and my rugby career."

The Force's axing from the SANZAAR competition was confirmed last week when RugbyWA lost a Supreme Court appeal against the Australian Rugby Union.

Daley began his career with Queensland where he played 79 games, starting in the Reds' Super Rugby final victory in 2011 over the Crusaders.

The 29-year-old, who played three Tests for Australia in 2010, will link with former Reds teammates Will Genia and James Hanson at the Rebels.