Dumped Queensland lock Rob Simmons will resurrect his Super Rugby career with the NSW Waratahs after signing a two-year deal.
The 28-year-old was axed by the Reds after 114 games but still managed to earn a call-up to the Wallabies' starting side for last week's tight Bledisloe Cup loss to New Zealand.
Showing he still had plenty to offer, the Waratahs saw him as a valuable recruit with Dean Mumm retiring and Will Skelton heading to England to play.
They believe his experience will benefit emerging locks Ryan McCauley and Tom Staniforth.
"I'm really looking forward to joining the lads in Sydney. They have a great team with a balance of experience and some very good young players and some big goals to achieve in Super Rugby," said Simmons.
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"Queensland has been great to me but I'm looking forward to doing whatever I can to take the Tahs to where they want to be.
"Hopefully, I can add some experience to the side, and we can push for finals next year."
Locked in until the end of 2019, the new deal means Simmons will remain in Australia until at least the end of the Rugby World Cup that year.
Simmons said he never wanted to leave Australia and hoped to add to his 73-Test cap haul next week against South Africa.
