Australian Sevens star Pama Fou is switching to the 15-man format, signing with the Melbourne Rebels for 2017.
Fou originally signed with the club for the 2016 season, but was given dispensation to follow his Olympic dream, after joining the Sevens program in 2011, debuting on the Gold Coast.
In a cruel twist of fate, Fou ruptured his ACL just six weeks out from the Olympics, ruling him out to a chance to go to Rio.
The former volleyball player will join the Rebels immediately and said he was excited about his first Super Rugby contract.
“I’m really grateful the Rebels gave me the opportunity to pursue my dream of making the Olympics squad,” Fou said.
“I’ve come to terms with the disappointment of missing out on Rio and I’m now completely focused on getting down to Melbourne, returning to full fitness and repaying the Rebels faith in next year’s Super Rugby season.”
The 26-year-old is one of Australia's most prolific Sevens try scorers and will join a beefed up attack in Melbourne next year, that includes Melbourne Storm convert Marika Koroibete and rising star Sefa Naivalu.
Fou is the first of the current Sevens squad to announce a switch to Super Rugby and his signing follows a slew of recent Rebels additions, including young guns Jack McGregor, Jack Maddocks and Tyrel Lomax.
The Australian Sevens leave for Rio on Tuesday, with the men’s competition starting on August 9.
