The Melbourne Rebels have confirmed Kevin Foote will take over as interim head coach for Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.
The announcement comes after head coach Dave Wessels stepped down from the role last week following the club's fourth-place finish in Super Rugby AU.
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Foote, who has served as the club's defensive coach, co-coached the Perth Spirit in 2014 alongside Wessels, before taking over on his own in 2017.
Rebels CEO Baden Stephenson is confident that Foote would provide some much-needed stability to the position and the club.
“Kevin is excited to have been given the opportunity to take on the Interim Head Coach role and is looking forward to the Trans-Tasman series," he said in a statement.
"He is well respected and has a great relationship with the playing group and other staff.
“The Board and Management see this appointment as a natural progression in his time at the Club and look forward to seeing him take on the new role with the high energy and professionalism that he is known for."
The club has also confirmed that Shaun Berne will not continue as the attacking coach for the Trans-Tasman competition.
Berne, who served as the Wallabies attack coach for the 2019 World Cup, joined the Rebels in 2018 following a stint with the Western Force.
"Shaun is a great rugby man and we are forever grateful for his contribution to our club both on and off the field over the last four years," Stephenson added.
"During his time at the club, he helped us reach our first finals, and was also called into the Wallabies staff for the 2019 Rugby World Cup which was a terrific acknowledgement and reward for his experience and hard work at the Melbourne Rebels and throughout his coaching career.
"We wish him all the best for his next challenge and thank him for his commitment to the Rebels."
Wallabies Coaching staff will be working closely with the Rebels in a short-term capacity in Berne's absence, with current forwards coach Geoff Parling retaining his role as defence coach.
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