Mauritius: ACT Brumbies assistant coach Dan McKellar has revealed his desire to take charge of a Super Rugby team in the future, but he isn't ready to walk away from Canberra despite two jobs being up for grabs.
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The Western Force pulled the plug on coach Michael Foley on Thursday, while the Queensland Reds are finalising their short-list for a new mentor for the 2017 season and beyond.
McKellar has been the understudy to Stephen Larkham and Laurie Fisher for the past three seasons and also cut his teeth in the Japanese competition before linking with the Brumbies.
The forwards specialist said his goal was to be a head coach in the future.
"I'm just like a player, I suppose. Everyone has aspirations and I'm no different," McKellar said in Mauritius.
"Coaching Super Rugby or running a program somewhere is something I look forward to and hopefully get the opportunity to do one day.
"But as I said when I joined the Brumbies in 2013, I'm in no rush. I love the Brumbies, they gave me my first opportunity [in Australian Super Rugby] and I love working with the coaches, staff and players.
"I'm happy with the role I'm doing at the moment, but one day do I want to be a head coach? Yeah."
The Brumbies are in Mauritius for the world club 10s tournament with McKellar taking the head coach reins while Larkham is in camp with the Wallabies for their Test series against England.
McKellar has coached the Tuggeranong Vikings, Canberra Vikings, in Brisbane and Japan as well as taking charge of the Brumbies' forwards pack at the end of 2013.
The tournament will give plenty of Brumbies a chance to impress ahead of some tough selection choices for the Super Rugby finals run, while McKellar will also get a chance to continue his development.
Lausii Taliauli said he wants to prove he can "step up" and fill the void left by Henry Speight as the Brumbies chase Super Rugby success.
Speight has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, while Joseph Tomane is also battling with a knee problem.
That gives Taliauli, who's locked in contract negotiations with the Brumbies, Nigel Ah Wong, Robbie Coleman and James Dargaville an opening to chase a starting XV spot.
"We have a chance to stamp our authority and show the coaches what we can do, so we know it's an opportunity for us," Taliauli said.
"It's unlucky for Speighty and we hope he can get back soon. But we know we have to take our chance."
* Chris Dutton is in Mauritius for the world club 10s tournament as a guest of Mauritius Tourism and Carinat Sports Marketing.
WORLD CLUB 10s IN MAURITIUS
Saturday: Brumbies v Toulon at 4pm, Brumbies v Western Force at 7.36pm, Brumbies v Italian All Stars at 10.48pm. Finals on Sunday. All games in AEST.
Brumbies squad: Tom Staniforth, Leslie Leulua'iali'i-Makin, Ruan Smith, Robbie Abel, Josh Mann_Rea, Blake Enever, Jarrad Butler, Jordan Smiler, Michael Wells, Michael Dowsett, Brent Hamlin, Robbie Coleman, James Dargaville, Nigel Ah Wong, Lausii Taliauli, Aidan Toua.
