Melbourne Rebels begin hunt for new coach, Tatafu Polota-Nau says he’s only thinking Bledisloe Cup

HAVING avoided the ARU axe, the Melbourne Rebels will now start hunting for a new coach and the Force’s Dave Wessels is still on their radar.

Melbourne Rebels are keen to explore Western Force’s Dave Wessels becoming their new coach.

MELBOURNE boss Baden Stephenson said the Rebels will begin interviewing coaching candidates in the next fortnight and Force coach Dave Wessels is still on their radar.

The ARU’s decision to axe the Force last week drew scorn in Perth but it was met with relief at the other targeted franchise, the Rebels.

Since Tony McGahan finished as head coach at the end of the Super Rugby season, the Rebels have not moved on a replacement but after the ARU’s decision last week, Stephenson said they’re going to “get cracking”.

“We have been short-listing the coaching applicants and we will be looking to start the interview phase of the short-listed guys in the next seven to ten days,” Stephenson said.

The Rebels have previously expressed interest in Wessels and Stephenson confirmed that view hadn’t changed. But with Rugby WA seeking an appeal next week over the arbitration ruling, the possibility of luring the South African east won’t be known for at least a week.

Melbourne Rebels are keen to explore Western Force’s Dave Wessels becoming their new coach.

“If Dave became available, we would certainly be keen to have a conversation with him,” Stephenson said. “Dave has done a great job in WA and he is highly respected in Australian rugby.”

There’s no doubt the Rebels will be watching Rugby WA’s appeal bid as closely as anyone. The Melbourne club have kept open a large number of spots for Force players, including Adam Coleman, if the WA club shuts down. But if the matter drags on for more months in an appeal, the Rebels club and those Force players will eventually be forced to make tough calls about their options.

One Force player not entertaining thought about future contracts, however, is Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau.

Like his Super Rugby teammates, Polota-Nau said the Force issues were in a “holding pattern”; not just due to the appeal next week but because he is dedicating all his mental energy towards beating the All Blacks in Sydney on Saturday night.

“I have been able to just put that in a bubble to the side,” Polota-Nau said.

“I can’t let my emotion get in the way of the bigger prize, which is all I can control at the moment. Once I do have time to stop and think, yeah I will have to reassess then. But at this point in time I am trying to get the job done against New Zealand. I have always said to myself the feeling of holding the Bledisloe Cup, far out that would be great.”

With Stephen Moore retiring from Test rugby at the end of the year, Polota-Nau has a chance to have a clear run in the Wallabies No. 2 through to the next World Cup. Off contract at the end of the year, Polota-Nau would no doubt be one of the ARU’s top priorities to secure.

“It’s funny because Squeak and started together as well (in 2006),” Polota-Nau said.

“So I am at that point where I am reassessing my body as well and to be honest it’s not like it used to be. I guess I just have to get my body prepared as best as possible. Gone are the days where you can skip and ice bath.

“I have always approached my career like I have to make the best of what I have in front of me. The enjoyment factor is the biggest thing, probably.

“I have really enjoyed it out west. It has just reinvigorated me, and parts of the game I really love. Obviously external circumstances haven’t been great but in saying that, it has really sparked me to keep continuing. So we’ll wait and see.”

Polota-Nau said he’d love to be involved in continuing to help rugby grow in Western Australia long into the future.

“I would love to sit and down and talk about ways to do that. If there are ways I’d love to be involved,” he said.

“But I guess it’s not just about me, it needs to be everyone. I still love the game. We just need as a rugby community to buy in together as opposed to having all these different views.”

Originally published as Melbourne Rebels begin hunt for new coach, Tatafu Polota-Nau says he’s only thinking Bledisloe Cup