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Rebels sticking with head coach David Wessels

(Photo by Getty Images)

The Rebels moved to lock in David Wessels amid interest from elsewhere, giving the head coach a two-year contract extension.

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Wessels took charge of the Super Rugby club in September 2017, leading them to their best finish – ninth – in his first season at the helm.

Despite having Wessels, who was linked with the vacancy at Welsh club Scarlets in November, under contract until the end of the year, the Rebels moved to extend his deal until the end of 2021.

Rebels chief executive Baden Stephenson praised the changes Wessels had already made in Melbourne.

“The transformation of this club into a genuine high performance rugby program during Dave’s tenure is nothing short of remarkable,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

“His ability to inspire those around him, from assistant coaches to players and backroom staff, is a testament to the leader he is and he is still his own hardest taskmaster.

“His talent and potential as a coach motivated us very strongly to be proactive in making this offer to extend Dave’s contract. He was in demand elsewhere and his recommitment to the club is the greatest endorsement I can offer players, members, partners, fans and the wider Victorian rugby community that we have a lot to be excited about in the years to come.

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“We are confident we have an experienced Super Rugby coach who can take us all the way.”

The Rebels begin their season with a clash against the Brumbies on February 15.

Rugby World Cup City Guides – Oita:

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Nickers 29 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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