Melbourne Rebels coach Tony McGahan backs club's decision to cut ties with James O'Connor

REBELS coach Tony McGahan has defended the club's decision to cut James O'Connor, citing the overall welfare of the franchise as justification.

The Rebels will field a new-look squad in 2014, one that won't feature O'Connor.

NEW Melbourne Rebels coach Tony McGahan has defended the club's decision to cut Wallaby James O'Connor, citing the overall welfare of the franchise as justification.

O'Connor remains in limbo after Melbourne withdrew its contract offer to the gifted back after losing patience with the former prodigy.

O'Connor has since lost his Australian Rugby Union contract and is yet to secure a deal with Western Force - the only franchise still interested in the fallen star.

McGahan said he and Rebels' CEO Rob Clarke "both were online" regarding the decision to release O'Connor.

And in a telling insight into playing group frustration with O'Connor, McGahan said: "It's been well documented. James is a fantastic player.

"But, from the club's perspective and from a group perspective, we certainly had a make a decision there in the direction we wanted to go and whilst losing a rugby talent is disappointing, we're looking after 35 players and another 20 staff.

"We need to make sure we're going in the one direction."

McGahan has replaced Damien Hill and on Wednesday issued a call to arms for Melbourne supporters to embrace a new-look squad - a plea echoed by fresh signing Tom Kingston.

"We've had a huge turnover of squad, not only last year but since the inception of the Rebels three years ago," McGahan said.

"I think there's only four players (Luke Jones, Hugh Pyle, Laurie Weeks and Lachie Mitchell) from the first group of squad.

"We've got 15 moved on from last year, so a lot of young guys looking for opportunities. Everyone involved is really excited about next season."

Kingston is among them, having transferred from NSW Waratahs to join mates Nic Stirzaker and Luke Jones at The Stockade.

"It was about opportunities," Kingston said of his reasons to move south.

"There’s a number guys in this squad who I grew up playing rugby with and a lot of guys from my club rugby team at Sydney University.

"Those guys had only positive things to say.

"I just wanted an opportunity to play 80 minutes in 16 games of the year and that was really important to me to developing my rugby.

Kingston said Melbourne aimed to build its membership over the 10,000 threshold.

Speaking at Fitzroy's Charcoal Lane restaurant, Kingston said the Rebels would continue to team with Mission Australia to support disengaged Victorian youth.

Charcoal Lane enables Aboriginal and disadvantaged young to gain experience in a supported, real work environment as part of an integrated program which includes personal skills development and accredited education in hospitality.