He signed a two and a half year deal with the Rebels under coach Dave Wessels and will be a welcome addition to a squad that has relied heavily on star halves partners Will Genia and Quade Cooper.

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The Rebels pulled off an important win against Queensland at the weekend, a result that no doubt calmed the horses after a run of three losses.

Wessels told media after Friday's game that Toomua was not likely to join the squad for another week, but the 29-year-old appears to have been released by the Tigers earlier than expected.

He was back in Sydney earlier this year to support wife and Australian international cricketer Ellyse Perry in the Women's Big Bash League.

He told the Herald then that he felt his time in England had improved him as a player.

"I've enjoyed it, made a lot of friends, and hopefully grown as a player as well, but I am ready to come home as well," Toomua said.

"Obviously playing for Australia is a drawcard and Melbourne are clearly moving in the right direction as well."

Some serious water has passed under the bridge since the former Brumby agreed to return home. The Wallabies slumped to their worst season ever and Folau's controversial social media posts have brought renewed and unprecedented pressure on the game.

Despite the bad news, the Rebels remain one of Australian rugby's good news stories, their ascent to the top of the Australian conference - before the Brumbies seized the mantle on Sunday - borne from Genia and Cooper's renaissance seasons and the emergence of quality young talent.

The jostling for a guaranteed Super Rugby finals berth will now go down to the wire, with Toomua's former team nudging a point ahead of his new home after their 33-0 win over the Sunwolves.

But the Queensland Reds, six points shy of the Brumbies after a 30-24 loss to the Rebels, and NSW Waratahs, seven back after a 29-28 defeat to the Lions in Johannesburg, also remain very much in contention for an automatic playoff berth.

The Brumbies won't collect any points from the bye next week and round out their home-and-away campaign with crucial derbies against the Waratahs and Reds.

Despite sitting fourth in the conference and in 13th spot overall on the ladder, the Waratahs - who have dropped three of their four games since losing Folau to suspension - are certain to have a major say in the final wash-up.

Last year's semi-finalists play each of the Brumbies, Rebels and Reds in season-defining encounters.

As well as a crucial derby showdown with the Waratahs in Melbourne in three weeks, the Rebels have a rough finish to the season against the Crusaders in Christchurch and a final-round hosting of the Chiefs.

The Reds host the Waratahs next Saturday in a must-win fixture for both sides and also play the Chiefs, Jaguares, Blues and Brumbies.

WHO THE AUSTRALIAN TEAMS FACE IN THE RACE TO THE SUPER RUGBY FINALS:

BRUMBIES (29 points) - bye, Bulls (home), Sunwolves (away), Blues (home) Waratahs (away), Reds (home)

MELBOURNE REBELS (28 pts) - Bulls (h), Sunwolves (a), Waratahs (h), Crusaders (a), Chiefs (h)

QUEENSLAND REDS (23 pts) - v Waratahs (h), Chiefs (a), Jaguares (h), Blues (h), Brumbies (a)

NSW WARATAHS (22 pts) - v Reds (a), Jaguares (h), Rebels (a), Brumbies (h), Highlanders (a)

with AAP