Former England lock becomes a coach for Aussie team
NEWS: The Melbourne Rebels have confirmed their coaching staff for the 2019 Super Rugby season.
Head coach David Wessels and assistant coaches Shaun Berne (attack) and Kevin Foote (defence) will continue in the roles which saw the Rebels enjoy their most successful season to date in 2018.
Joining them in the coaching ranks will be a pair of former Rebels players tasked with overseeing the forwards and set piece.
Former British and Irish Lion and England lock Geoff Parling moves from the locker room into the coaches ball pen as line-out coach, while foundation Rebel Nic Henderson will step up to coach at the Super Rugby level for the first time as the team’s newly appointed scrum consultant. Henderson will also continue to oversee the Rebels and Rugby Victoria pathway programs, a role he has excelled in since his retirement from professional rugby in 2013.
“Both of Nic (Henderson) and Geoff (Parling) have been around the Club for a while now and they understand the high standards we have set for ourselves.”
Dave Wessels is excited by the new additions to his coaching team for 2019. Read more here: https://t.co/whYep4VqAV pic.twitter.com/EToMPyrGI3
— Melbourne Rebels (@MelbourneRebels) November 14, 2018
Wessels is confident the coaching staff assembled would allow the Rebels to go on to stronger performances in 2019.
“I’ve been fortunate to have worked with most of this coaching group for a few seasons now and in that time we’ve built up a really good working rapport and honest relationship,” said Wessels.
“Our goal is to build a world-class Rugby program. To do that we need committed, knowledgeable staff who are prepared to work as hard as we expect the players to.
“Both Nic [Henderson] and Geoff [Parling] have played Rugby at the highest level and will add greater specialisation to our coaching group to help us best support our players to become the best version of themselves.
“Nic has done such a great job developing himself as a coach in recent years and he has a great connection with his students. Geoff is newer to coaching, but he has the maturity and smarts to provide technical insight as well as the experience of winning cultures.
“Both of Nic and Geoff have been around the team for a while now and they understand the high standards we have set for ourselves. They are well respected by the playing group and at the same time are known to be tough taskmasters. When the group re-assembles for pre-season, it won’t take long for the players to feel the increased intensity we are going to bring,” stated Wessels.
Behind the scenes, Todd Louden returns to Melbourne to take up the role of Rebels Coaching Co-ordinator, which also includes hands-on coaching within the Rebels and Rugby Victoria Academy and Pathways programs. Louden was part of the coaching staff which took the Bulls to a Super Rugby title in 2007, the Waratahs to a Super Final in 2008 and the Rebels to a record-breaking season in 2015.
“The coaching group we have assembled are constantly striving to develop themselves professionally. We want to evolve as coaches and to provide a world-class environment for our players to develop.
“That’s the environment and culture we’re working hard to establish here. That’s the environment we need to foster to be Super Rugby champions,” emphasised Wessels.
Hello Hugh Roach 👋 Get to know our latest recruit! #HelloMelbourne #TheRecruit pic.twitter.com/vaV3aEWt21
— Melbourne Rebels (@MelbourneRebels) November 13, 2018
