The 30-year-old hooker has been attached to three other Super Rugby franchises in Western Force, the Brumbies and last year with Melbourne Rebels

He's also plied his rugby trade in New Zealand for Northland and most recently Auckland - winning a premiership in 2018 while while he also represented the Maori All Blacks that same year.

"I've been to a few teams so I've kind of become a bit of a gypsy football player," Abel said. 'I'm always open to opportunities and exploring new things. Being in this environment kind of suits me as well, to be able to bring something new to the team."

Abel, who will be vying with Waratahs stalwart Damien Fitzpatrick and Newcastle's Andrew Tuala for the starting hooker role, also shapes as a mentor for the team's young emerging forwards.

"It is a young pack but for me that"s the exciting thing about it," Abel said. "Being a little bit older, these young kids definitely give me a fair bit of energy."

The Tahs take on the Highlanders in a pre-season trial in Sydney on Friday.

They are away to Canterbury in the opening round (February 1) and meet Auckland in Newcastle on February 8.

Tuala, 28, made two appearances off the bench last season and had his contracted upgraded this season.