Assistant Kevin Foote will step up as Melbourne’s interim head coach following Dave Wessels’ resignation from the Super Rugby post.
Foote has been with the Rebels for four years as defence coach and previously coached in his homeland South Africa and also in the National Rugby Championship with Perth.
He will take over immediately, looking to prepare the Rebels for the Trans-Tasman component of the Super Rugby, with their first match against the Blues in Melbourne on May 15.
Wessels announced his resignation last week after Melbourne missed the Super Rugby AU playoffs, while attack coach Shaun Berne has joined him in departing the club.
The Wallabies coaching staff will assist the Rebels in the short term.
Melbourne boss Baden Stephenson said that Foote’s appointment would provide some continuity in the program, whilst bringing in some fresh elements as well.
“Kevin is excited to have been given the opportunity to take on the Interim head coach role and is looking forward to the Trans-Tasman series,” Stephenson said.
“He is well respected and has a great relationship with the playing group and other staff.”
Foote, 42, said it was a privilege to have an opportunity in the head coach role.
“I have big shoes to fill in following Dave’s departure and want to thank him for all his support, leadership and friendship over our years working together and look forward to building on the strong platform he has left at the club,” Foote said.
“We have a big job ahead of ourselves with the Trans-Tasman series starting in just two weeks and I am excited to work with the team and our staff to ensure we are ready to go come our first game against the Blues.”
Puff
Roar Rookie
The departure of Dave Wessel’s is the same deep-rooted story that is a mirror image of numerous coaches who have struggled to please the money men. I understand the gent is a good guy but such folk don’t necessary make winning coaches. After witnessing a number of matches, many of the more high profile signings (without mentioning names) were bluntly disappointing and never performed to expectation and sadly that’s still the case. Would like to wish Foote the best but according to his ongoing record, he injects little confidence. You would think, when the boardroom become unhappy with staff accomplishment. A program of sourcing a more experienced replacement would have commenced in earnest. The sobering fact is: the Rebels have never had a dynamic coach who wears his pride on his sleeve. Therefore encouraging a suitable replacement will need to be attractive, as there is little to excite.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Good comment
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Wessels certainly appears to be a decent man. I feel like the difficulties end up being a mark against him - those times were the best the team looked. When they had clear air the team struggled.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yeah not like all the other teams which never have coaching turnover hey?
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Get ready for Melbourne Rebels 5.0. Or is it v6. Kinda wish Rugby Australia would stop the madness here.
CPM
Roar Rookie
A second tier domestic competition is vital for the development of the next generation of coaches. It would maybe be too big a gap to appoint coaches from third tier club rugby. Where are coaches, and referees btw expected to come from? Import them from a country that has the proper development structures in place?
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Good luck, the bloke will need it but perhaps some fresh ideas might kick-start the Rebels. D.Wessels is correct that the Rebels have had a really difficult last 2 years with always on the road last year and this year losing some players to injuries and Europe/Japan/USA but lacklustre 2018 and 2019 seasons were nails in his coffin. Wessels always came across as a decent man. I hope he gets a good gig as assistant coach somewhere with a good system in place and picks up a few more tips as he definitely has a future in the game.
savant
Roar Rookie
Does this mean Wisemantel will step in for TT?
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
100%
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
As expected. Berne not continuing on beyond this season is probably the important part of this. Clearly the attack had not been functioning too well so it was time to look for the next attack coach.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
OMG, another one. Hope his game plans are different to what's his name !
Tooly
Roar Rookie
The Wallabies coaching staff would be best kept well away.