A sense of loyalty to Australia rugby has helped Dave Wessels decide to coach Melbourne Rebels rather than head overseas.
The Rebels, who finished bottom of the Australia Super Rugby conference this year with just one win, have signed the in-demand South African as coach for the next two seasons.
The former Western Force mentor had been linked to a move to Munster and, according to reports from Ireland, the Pro 14 outfit was close to announcing a deal.
But the 34-year-old coach has opted to stay in Australia, saying he had "unfinished business" in Super Rugby after the Force were axed.
"I was obviously very flattered that there was some interest from other places," Wessels told AAP on Friday.
"I feel a huge amount of loyalty to Australian rugby and I'm just very grateful that Melbourne offered me this opportunity."
Wessels said another factor behind him opting to stay was his belief that the off-field planning of people including Wallabies coach Michael Cheika and Australian Rugby Union staff Ben Whitaker and Rod Kafer, would lead to a new golden era in "a few years".
Asked about the reasons for choosing the Rebels, Wessels said: "One of the key things was that I have always admired the (Rebels) CEO Baden Stephenson.
"I got to know him long before he became the CEO and I think he's a really good rugby man and I've enjoyed talking to him over the last couple of weeks, and some of the vision that he has for the club.
"The second thing is that the Rebels are very similar in some ways to the Force, in that I think for both of us we were the 'little brothers' of Australian rugby and in some ways a little bit on the outer of the traditional powers of Australian rugby.
"I really embraced that challenge in Western Australia and I think that's something that appeals to me about Melbourne.
"The third thing is I'm very excited to work with some of the Rebels key players.
"They've got some really incredible world class players, but then also to be able to bring some of the Force's best players and some of the staff across to really form what I think will be a very competitive team.
"I wouldn't be going to Melbourne if I didn't feel like we could be successful."
Most of the Force's stars including established Wallabies Adam Coleman, Dane Haylett-Petty and Tatafu Polota-Nau have yet to declare where they will play next year, though some are expected to join the Rebels.
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