GoMelbRebels
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
Keep Dave, unless you can name a better coach who is available to start now. He has the support of the team, that was evident on Saturday night, so at least let him complete the TT comp.
Rebels 2021
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
Mick The Munch
Vay Wilson (31)
We should to bring in a more senior DoR, even if it's part time - Steve Hansen perhaps?
Both Rebels players have been suspended for 3 weeks. Lucky for them they get to count 2 Dewar Shield matches so they only miss the first round of Super Rugby Trans Tasman.
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
Hmm that is quite lucky. I don't think Pone would've played, they might've got Isi to play to get some match fitness though.
GoMelbRebels
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
Assume that means Trevor will be back for the first TT then.
Rebel man
John Thornett (49)
First time we have had good news in a while
SouthernX
John Thornett (49)
David & Glen Vaihu
Rebel man
John Thornett (49)
Cheers. Will watch west’s all year now
Members Section
John Thornett (49)
GoMelbRebels
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
Cool. I saw him warming up before the Tahs match on the weekend, looked like he was raring to play that night. Might watch the match tomorrow to see how he goes.
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
Think I might watch my first QPR match too. DHP is Perth through & through yeah? Interesting that he goes to QPR not SS. Is there any method to it all? Do they approach the Rebels players or do we approach them?
swingpass
Peter Sullivan (51)
wonder if he will be FTS or get TOTD or MVP ? sincerely hope no HIA
Wessels gone. Below is the club statement sent to members.
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Wessels Stands Down as Melbourne Rebels Head Coach
Melbourne Rebels Head Coach Dave Wessels has today informed the club that he will be stepping down from his role. The decision by Wessels was not made lightly and was shared in a meeting with Club Chairman Paul Docherty and CEO Baden Stephenson, with Wessels then announcing it to the playing squad shortly after.
Wessels’ decision to step down will mean that he will not continue coaching the Melbourne Rebels for the Trans-Tasman portion of Super Rugby season, but will spend the remainder of his contract working closely with CEO Baden Stephenson in a transitional role across all elements of the rugby program.
Wessels commented on his decision, “Over the past few weeks, I’ve reflected a lot and I feel the time is right to pass the baton to someone else. Living in Melbourne and coaching the Melbourne Rebels has been a wonderful experience. I’ve learnt an incredible amount, built some really strong friendships and I feel confident that I am leaving the Club in a really good place.”
“When I was first appointed interim Head Coach at the Western Force I had the final three games of the 2016 season to start leading and preparing the Club for the future. It gave me the opportunity to gain some valuable experience and test myself without the full responsibility of the job. I would like to give someone else that same opportunity; to test themselves and grow for the next phase in the Club’s journey.”
“I’d like to thank my wife for her incredible support in our Rebels journey – being at home with young children whilst your partner travels for their role is often a much harder proposition and I couldn’t have got through the last two COVID impacted seasons without her amazing backing. I’d also like to thank our coaching team and staff at the Rebels who have been a pleasure and a privilege to work alongside. A big thank you also to the Rebels members and supporters, you have shared the highs and lows alongside our team and I appreciate all your support that you have shown me. Finally, I’d like to thank the playing group here at the Club, we’ve been unlucky this season, but I know with the type of men that you are, success is just around the corner.”
Melbourne Rebels CEO Baden Stephenson said he respected Dave’s decision and acknowledged his significant contribution to the Club over the last 4 years.
Stephenson said, “When Dave commenced the role at the end of 2017 it took a very special Coach to lead our Club through a period of intense change and he has done an almighty job to establish and evolve many foundations that the Club will continue to build on in the future. Dave developed Wallabies, identified and unearthed some elite talent, achieved the most successful seasons in the Club’s history amongst some very memorable victories. Dave’s work ethic, detail, desire, generosity and leadership were hallmarks of his tenure and I look forward to working with him over the coming months to set the Club up for future success.”
Melbourne Rebels Chairman Paul Docherty thanked Wessels for his dedication to the Club, especially acknowledging his commitment and leadership during the recent Covid affected seasons. “Dave is one of the finest people going around in Rugby, he is passionate, dedicated and has left nothing on the table in respect to his commitment to our Club. This is no more evident than during the impacts of COVID across the past two seasons. Dave’s leadership and sacrifice during this time was outstanding as he managed the Club through a whole season on the road for over three months last year and a month this year, without his wife and three young children who stayed in Melbourne.”
Over a 3-year period, between 2018 and the end of the 15-team Super Rugby competition in 2020, Wessels led the Rebels to a 63% win rate in the Australian Conference. As well as memorable wins over the Highlanders (twice), the Lions and a record-breaking win over the Sharks at AAMI Park. The Rebels finished 2nd in the Australian conference in 2018, 2019 and 2020 (competition suspended due to COVID).
As Head Coach, Wessels also broke the club record for the most number of wins in a season (2018/2019), the most consecutive wins in a season (2018/2019), and the most points in a season (2018). During Wessels’ tenure the club doubled the home grown Victorian grown players to 10 in 2021.
The Board and Club Management will now work on the plan for the upcoming Super Rugby Trans-Tasman series commencing on May 15 and will communicate its decisions next week.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wessels Stands Down as Melbourne Rebels Head Coach
Melbourne Rebels Head Coach Dave Wessels has today informed the club that he will be stepping down from his role. The decision by Wessels was not made lightly and was shared in a meeting with Club Chairman Paul Docherty and CEO Baden Stephenson, with Wessels then announcing it to the playing squad shortly after.
Wessels’ decision to step down will mean that he will not continue coaching the Melbourne Rebels for the Trans-Tasman portion of Super Rugby season, but will spend the remainder of his contract working closely with CEO Baden Stephenson in a transitional role across all elements of the rugby program.
Wessels commented on his decision, “Over the past few weeks, I’ve reflected a lot and I feel the time is right to pass the baton to someone else. Living in Melbourne and coaching the Melbourne Rebels has been a wonderful experience. I’ve learnt an incredible amount, built some really strong friendships and I feel confident that I am leaving the Club in a really good place.”
“When I was first appointed interim Head Coach at the Western Force I had the final three games of the 2016 season to start leading and preparing the Club for the future. It gave me the opportunity to gain some valuable experience and test myself without the full responsibility of the job. I would like to give someone else that same opportunity; to test themselves and grow for the next phase in the Club’s journey.”
“I’d like to thank my wife for her incredible support in our Rebels journey – being at home with young children whilst your partner travels for their role is often a much harder proposition and I couldn’t have got through the last two COVID impacted seasons without her amazing backing. I’d also like to thank our coaching team and staff at the Rebels who have been a pleasure and a privilege to work alongside. A big thank you also to the Rebels members and supporters, you have shared the highs and lows alongside our team and I appreciate all your support that you have shown me. Finally, I’d like to thank the playing group here at the Club, we’ve been unlucky this season, but I know with the type of men that you are, success is just around the corner.”
Melbourne Rebels CEO Baden Stephenson said he respected Dave’s decision and acknowledged his significant contribution to the Club over the last 4 years.
Stephenson said, “When Dave commenced the role at the end of 2017 it took a very special Coach to lead our Club through a period of intense change and he has done an almighty job to establish and evolve many foundations that the Club will continue to build on in the future. Dave developed Wallabies, identified and unearthed some elite talent, achieved the most successful seasons in the Club’s history amongst some very memorable victories. Dave’s work ethic, detail, desire, generosity and leadership were hallmarks of his tenure and I look forward to working with him over the coming months to set the Club up for future success.”
Melbourne Rebels Chairman Paul Docherty thanked Wessels for his dedication to the Club, especially acknowledging his commitment and leadership during the recent Covid affected seasons. “Dave is one of the finest people going around in Rugby, he is passionate, dedicated and has left nothing on the table in respect to his commitment to our Club. This is no more evident than during the impacts of COVID across the past two seasons. Dave’s leadership and sacrifice during this time was outstanding as he managed the Club through a whole season on the road for over three months last year and a month this year, without his wife and three young children who stayed in Melbourne.”
Over a 3-year period, between 2018 and the end of the 15-team Super Rugby competition in 2020, Wessels led the Rebels to a 63% win rate in the Australian Conference. As well as memorable wins over the Highlanders (twice), the Lions and a record-breaking win over the Sharks at AAMI Park. The Rebels finished 2nd in the Australian conference in 2018, 2019 and 2020 (competition suspended due to COVID).
As Head Coach, Wessels also broke the club record for the most number of wins in a season (2018/2019), the most consecutive wins in a season (2018/2019), and the most points in a season (2018). During Wessels’ tenure the club doubled the home grown Victorian grown players to 10 in 2021.
The Board and Club Management will now work on the plan for the upcoming Super Rugby Trans-Tasman series commencing on May 15 and will communicate its decisions next week.
swingpass
Peter Sullivan (51)
nice bloke, seemed a good coach, but the results not the standard one would expect. imo playing group are only marginally better as a collective than when they started and some of the selections have been head scratching. i hope he goes on to bigger and better things and might come back to Melbourne as DoR or head coach one day - assuming there is still a professional outfit here.