Former All Blacks manager Tony Thorpe will join the Rebels as team director in 2018.
Thorpe, who was most recently general manager of Fiji Rugby, will oversee the team's wider strategy, on and off the field, working closely with Dave Wessels.
“I’m fortunate for the opportunity to work with David and the management team at the start of a new era for the Melbourne Rebels and excited by the club’s untapped potential in the growing squad and organisation,” he said.
“There are some challenges to overcome in a very short period of time but David’s pulling together a group capable of navigating the club on this exciting journey to deliver success for the Rebels.”
Rebels CEO Baden Stephenson said Thorpe would be a handy addition to the club.
“Tony’s extensive management experience will make him an extremely valuable asset to our refreshed rugby program at the Rebels,” he said.
“Our club is going to go through a major transformation and there is so much work to get done in such a small amount of time. Tony knows what success and strong team cultures looks like.”
