Super Rugby coach Dave Wessels has confirmed he will stay in Australia to coach the Melbourne Rebels. Credit:AAP "I have been talking to him and he's been very clear where his head is at … I am feeling very confident," Cheika said. "I take nothing for granted obviously but I feel very confident he has one big objective in his mind and that he'll be here. We obviously have to do the right things, like in any negotiation process but I am sure that will happen. I am very comfortable for him to take his time as well." A report from the northern hemisphere suggested Wessels had been snapped up by Munster but Fairfax Media later revealed the 36-year-old had not formalised a decision and still had his heart set on signing with the Rebels. Those close to Wessels knew he was going to continue his career in Melbourne even though he interviewed at the well-respected Irish club. "I'm very grateful to everyone at the Rebels and within Australian rugby for helping make this move possible," Wessels said in a statement. "For me, the decision was driven by a strong feeling of unfinished business in Super Rugby. I'm very passionate about rugby and the game in this country has provided me with the opportunity to fulfil my dream to coach professionally. Part of repaying this faith is realising the success that I know we're capable of.

Dave Wessels was credited with turning the Western Force into a top side before they were kicked out of the competition. Credit:AAP "Make no mistake, our goal is to win Super Rugby. We're finalising an exciting group of coaches and players who will not only contribute to building an enviable and winning culture at the club but who will progress us towards that ultimate goal." Wessels is a highly-rated coach, having transformed the Force from Australia's worst Super Rugby side to finishing second overall in the season just gone. Astute rugby types believe Wessels, one on the youngest coaches in the business, has what it takes to one day be in charge of the Wallabies. Keeping Wessels in Australia, rather than have him take his services to Ireland, is a major coup for rugby in Melbourne and nation-wide.

"We're delighted that Dave will be joining us," said Rebels chief executive Baden Stephenson. "He's one of the brightest and most sought-after coaches in world rugby. "He showed real leadership through an incredibly difficult period at the Western Force and has demonstrated his ability to build a world-class rugby program." There was also the possibility that a number of Force players would jump ship and follow Wessels to whatever club he ended up at. That seems unlikely now he has been locked in until the end of the 2019 season at the Rebels and, as a result, a good portion of his Force players will be announced as signings in the coming weeks. Speaking before confirmation from the Rebels they had snared Wessels, Cheika was full of praise for the South African-born former Stormers and ACT Brumbies assistant.

Loading "He has done an outstanding job in Perth and I say that because I have seen the players that have come in here and how they've come in with their attitude into the camp," Cheika said. "I would really like to see them stay in Australian rugby for sure." Despite talk out of Ireland suggesting Wessels was going to pack his bags, the Rebels were always confident of retaining him and will announce his signing officially on Friday morning.