The Queensland Reds have got one back on the Melbourne Rebels by snaring promising lock Cadeyrn Neville.

The traffic from Brisbane to Melbourne has been one-way over the past few Super Rugby seasons with former Reds Mike Harris and Dom Shipperley this year joining Rebels co-captain Scott Higginbotham in Melbourne.

Prop Laurie Weeks and exciting rookie back Jonah Placid also started their Super careers with Queensland.

Neville has spent four seasons with Melbourne and played more than 40 games, twice being included in Wallabies squads without making his Test debut.

But this season he has been starved of game time with in-form duo Luke Jones and Lopeti Timani mostly starting in the second row.

At 202cm and 123kg, Reds head coach Richard Graham believes the developing Neville will make an ideal replacement for departing Wallabies lock James Horwill.

“I have had my eye on Cadeyrn now for a number of seasons,” Graham said.

“I first met with him in the middle of 2011 leading into the 2012 Super Rugby season and he was reasonably new into his rugby career and had come from an elite rowing program.

“He had all the physical qualities that I felt we could develop and a genuine desire to be the best he could in his new sport.

“We have good depth at lock and the inclusion of Cadeyrn will ensure we continue to be strong in that area.”

Neville said he was excited to experience a different team and city in the next stage of his career.

“I’m looking forward to joining a team and forward pack, in particular, with many experienced Wallabies that together with some talented up-and-coming players should be looking to build success going forward,” he said.

“I haven’t lived in Queensland before so the change of lifestyle is also something I’m looking forward to.”