Henderson and Parling graduate into Rebels coaching staff for 2019

The Melbourne Rebels have confirmed their coaching staff for 2019 with Head Coach, David Wessels, and Assistant Coaches Shaun Berne (attack) and Kevin Foote (defence) continuing on 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 Lineout Coach, while foundation Rebel Nic Henderson will step up to coach at the Super Rugby level for the first time as the Club’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.

“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...”

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.