David Wessels agrees to coach Melbourne Rebels

Munster’s search for a successor to Rassie Erasmus will continue after it was confirmed David Wessels has agreed to coach the Melbourne Rebels.

The Irish province are seeking to hire a director of rugby to replace the outgoing Erasmus, who is leaving at the end of December to take up the same position with South Africa.

Earlier this week IRFU performance director David Nucifora confirmed a suitable candidate had been identified and positive discussions had taken place with Munster hoping to finalise an appointment "in the coming weeks".

Wessels, who coached the Western Force in Super Rugby last season, was heavily linked with the role but on Thursday he confirmed he has elected to remain in Australia to coach the Rebels, though he did hint there were other offers on the table.

"My dream has always been to coach professional rugby and it is Australian rugby that's given me that opportunity," Wessels told The Australian.

"From a loyalty perspective - and I know we haven't had the greatest couple of months here in Perth with all the speculation about the Force - but the position I'm in, I owe it in large part to the people within Australian rugby.

"A lot of the (Force) staff and players will now have the opportunity to come with us to Melbourne and I feel that if I turned my back on Australia now, I would live the rest of my life wondering where it could have ended up."