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New Melbourne Rebels coach Dave Wessels is convinced Australian rugby is heading towards a golden era despite the game’s recent woes.
Wessels’ belief that the situation will improve was one of the reasons the former Western Force coach opted to stay in Australia rather than head overseas after the Perth-based franchise was axed.
The Australian sides endured their worst-ever Super Rugby season this year, with no team winning more than six of their 15 games.
Under South African Wessels the Force were the big improvers in 2017, winning four more games than last year to finish level with the conference-winning Brumbies on victories.
Wessels believes the work being done by Wallabies coach Michael Cheika and ARU high performance department members Ben Whittaker and Rod Kafer is establishing a solid framework in the development of coaches, players and other staff.
“All of the things that ultimately create a good system I think have really been ratcheted up over the last couple of months,”‘ Wessels told AAP.
‘I’m very very excited about what that might mean for Australian rugby in the future.
“I know that it can sound a bit ridiculous but I actually think that with all the work that’s going on in the background and all the good people that are involved, I actually think Australian rugby is heading towards a really golden era.
“It’s going to take a few years for us to get there, but certainly one of the things for me in making this decision was that I want to be part of that.
“So in some sense I’m committing to it by staying here, but it certainly shows the confidence that I have in the wider programs that are coming together.”
One of Wessels’ first tasks at the Rebels will be finalising their 2018 roster as they strive to improve on this year’s disastrous one-win campaign.
He wants to bring over some of his old Force players, with Wallabies stars Adam Coleman and Dane Haylett-Petty among those the Rebels are targeting.
Wessels says he can build a competitive team by adding some of those players plus recently signed Wallabies halfback Will Genia to established Rebels stars such as Reece Hodge, Lopeti Timani and Marika Koroibete.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.