The ACT Brumbies board is set to back Dan McKellar to lead the club into the future after offering him a two-year contract extension on the eve of the Super Rugby season.
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The Canberra Times can reveal McKellar has all but agreed to remain as Brumbies coach until at least the end of 2021 and a new deal could be finalised as early as Thursday morning.
The quick decision on McKellar's tenure will give the Brumbies stability for the coming years and come as the coach said he would prioritise Canberra fans when making controversial rotation decisions this year.
McKellar is about to start his second season as a head coach after leading the Brumbies to a 7-9 win-loss record last year, falling one-game short of making the finals for a sixth-straight season.
His task this year will be made difficult by a Wallabies request to rest star players to manage their workloads during a World Cup year.
It's like David Pocock, Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa will be told to skip games this season, but McKellar hinted he will likely schedule those for away trips to ensure Canberra fans don't miss out on the club's top players.
McKellar refused a Wallabies request last year to rest the same three players, taking a stand for the capital's rugby community before a game against the Japan Sunwolves.
There is more planning from Rugby Australia this year and all clubs have been notified of which players will need to be rested well in advance of the season.
"If I'm paying money for my membership [in Canberra], I expect to see the best version of the team," McKellar said.
"That doesn't mean there won't be changes to the team. But in terms of having to rest high-profile players ... we'd be selling our supporters, fans and stakeholders short if we go into a game without five of our Wallabies.
"I don't think that's fair. It's something we showed last year when there was the disagreement. We stood up what was right for the Brumbies that day, and nothing has changed."
The Brumbies will start their season with a clash against the Melbourne Rebels at Canberra Stadium on Friday night, with McKellar picking four players to make their debut for the club.
James Slipper, Pete Samu, Irae Simone and Toni Pulu will play their first games as Brumbies, while Wallabies loosehead prop Scott Sio will start on the bench.
McKellar has been speaking with the Brumbies about his future since the end of last year. His contract was set to expire at the end of 2019, but he is now the latest Australian coach to formalise an extension.
The Rebels and the NSW Waratahs both announced coaching contract extensions this week for Dave Wessels and Daryl Gibson and McKellar's deal will ensures there will be one less distraction this season.
"There's an air of excitement and I felt that at our season launch. It's hard to put into words, but you could just tell people are excited," McKellar said.
"It's been a tough time for rugby over the last couple of years, but we're really keen to try to shift the mindset."
The Brumbies are hoping the start of a new season will bring fresh hope and excitement with it after crowds dropped to a record low at the end of last year.
The Brumbies averaged just 8000 people per game as rugby fans grew frustrated with the game's administration.
But Brumbies memberships have jumped to more than 10,000 before the opening game and there is a sense that early wins can build a groundswell of support.
"I think it's going to be 28 degrees on Friday, to be back home allows us to start in front of our fans. Hopefully it's a good crowd and we can play the style of footy we want to play. I know that resonates with the Canberra community and we're excited to do that," McKellar said.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND ONE
Friday: ACT Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm.
Brumbies: 1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Faingaa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Sam Carter, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. David Pocock, 8. Lachlan McCaffrey, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Toni Pulu, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Henry Speight, 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Blake Enever, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Matt Lucas, 22. Wharenui Hawera, 23. Andy Muirhead.
Rebels: 1. Tetera Faulkner, 2. Anaru Rangi, 3. Jermaine Ainsley, 4. Luke Jones, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Angus Cottrell, 7. Richard Hardwick, 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Will Genia, 10. Quade Cooper, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Billy Meakes, 13. Tom English, 14. Jack Maddocks, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty. Reserves: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Matt Gibbon, 18. Sam Talakai, 19. Esei Haangana, 20. Brad Wilkin, 21. Rob Leota, 22. Michael Ruru, 23. Semisi Tupou.
