Rugby: Melbourne Rebels recruit former All Blacks manager

Former Crusaders and All Blacks manager Tony Thorpe. Photo / Photosport

The Melbourne Rebels have lured former All Blacks manager Tony Thorpe to fill the club's new team director role ahead of the 2018 Super Rugby season.

The role will drive standards, discipline, travel and high-performance outcomes after an end-of-season review into the Rebels' rugby program.

"There are some challenges to overcome in a very short period of time but David's pulling together a group capable of navigating the club on this exciting journey to deliver success for the Rebels," Thorpe said.

Thorpe's background has included two years as team manager with the All Blacks and three Super Rugby championships in the same role with the Crusaders.