McGahan to leave Melbourne Rebels after Super Rugby season

Published Jun. 15, 2017 12:43 a.m. ET

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Tony McGahan won't wait around to see if the Melbourne Rebels survive to play Super Rugby next year: the head coach and the club announced a mutual parting of the ways on Thursday.

The Australian Rugby Union must decide which of the five Australian franchises is cut by the league for the 2018 Super Rugby season. The Rebels and Western Force have been most often mentioned as one of the teams to be cut.

A statement on behalf of the Rebels and McGahan said both parties arrived at the decision in the best interests of the Rebels ''in order for the club to develop the long-term direction of the rugby program.''

Melbourne has just one win and a draw in 13 matches and is a distant last in a mediocre Australian conference.

The Rebels meet the Western Force in Perth on July 7 and McGahan will coach his last game in Melbourne against Argentina's Jaguares on July 14.