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The Rebels confirm new head coach

Rebels appoint new head coach

Dave Wessels will remain in Super Rugby after signing a two-year deal to take over as the Rebels’ head coach.

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Wessels’ future was up in the air when Western Force were axed from the competition following his first season in charge of the Perth franchise.

The South African was strongly linked with Munster, but has agreed to move to Melbourne as Tony McGahan’s successor at a club who were also under threat of losing their Super Rugby status this year.

“I’m very grateful to everyone at the Rebels and within Australian rugby for helping make this move possible,” said Wessels.

“For me, the decision was driven by a strong feeling of unfinished business in Super Rugby. I’m very passionate about rugby, and the game in this country has provided me with the opportunity to fulfil my dream to coach professionally.

“Part of repaying this faith is realising the success that I know we’re capable of.

“Make no mistake, our goal is to win Super Rugby. We’re finalising an exciting group of coaches and players who will not only contribute to building an enviable and winning culture at the club, but who will progress us towards that ultimate goal.

“I’m excited about the prospect of coaching in Melbourne as the Rebels share many of the characteristics I have grown to love from my time in Western Australia: their players and fans have shared our uncertainty over the past couple of months and we are the ‘outsiders’ of the traditional powers in Australian rugby.

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“These are very powerful galvanising forces for a club and we’re very motivated by the fact that it’s #us versus the rest’.”

The Rebels revealed that they will make further announcements regarding their coaching staff and playing roster in the coming weeks.

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Nickers 18 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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