Force's mentor could join the Rebels?

Western Force was axed from the Super Rugby competition by Australian Rugby Board. The Force’s axing has handed an opportunity to the Melbourne Rebels to lure Wessels to the franchise following the departure of Tony McGahan.

However, Wessels is hesitant to sign the deal, especially after Western Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest promised to start a breakaway rugby competition.   

At first, Forrest vowed that the new league would be in direct competition with the Super Rugby but it seems his bitterness has since subsided as the league is expected to be played at a different time to the Super Rugby season.

The Indo Pacific Region league will include teams from Japan, China, New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Forrest is expected to hold a press conference on Wednesday to unveil more details about the competition, and Wessels will hold fire on any decisions until at least then.

"I'm very flattered that there's some interest in me from different places," Wessels said.

"Just like the players, I want to make a decision with my family.

"At the moment, we don't have the complete information in terms of the alternatives,"

The first-year coach is settled in Perth with his young family, but he may find it hard to resist the lure of coaching the Rebels.

"I feel very grateful for everyone in Australian rugby who has helped me," Wessels said.

"There's a huge part of me that wants to repay some of their faith in me.

"At the same time, I have ambitions that one day I'd like to be among the best coaches in the world, and at the moment I think I'm quite far from that."

Source: @rugby.com.au