The Melbourne Rebels have called former Australian under-20 halfback Jock Merriman into their squad with Nic Stirzaker sidelined for up to two months with an ankle injury.
Stirzaker damaged his ankle in the Rebels' opening Super Rugby trial against NSW, which ended his battle with former Wallaby Luke Burgess for the starting No.9 jersey.
Merriman has been a member of the Australian Rugby Union's National Academy for the past two seasons, working there with Rebels assistant coach Sean Hedger.
With Melbourne to play their final trial match against Queensland in Brisbane on Friday night Merriman will join the squad immediately.
He will join locals Martin Naufahu and Joe Kamana in training with the Rebels.
Trialist hooker Steve Fualau remains with the club as an injury replacement for Tom Sexton, who was ruled out for the 2014 season with a knee injury.
