The Melbourne Rebels have signed former Wallabies defence guru John Muggleton to iron out their tackling deficiencies in next year's Super Rugby competition.

Muggleton, who managed Australia's defensive system from 1999 to 2007, will join the Rebels as an assistant coach after he finishes his current commitments with Georgia at the Rugby World Cup next month.

It is a key signing for Melbourne after conceding the most points (570 at 36 per game) of all 15 teams in their debut season when they picked up the wooden-spoon.

A former Kangaroos and Parramatta league second-rower, Muggleton was a major factor in the Wallabies' 1999 World Cup success as defence coach under Rod Macqueen when they conceded just one try in the entire tournament.

New Rebels head coach Damien Hill, who has taken the reins from Macqueen, described the appointment as a coup for the expansion club.

"John is a highly regarded coach with real expertise in the area of defence," Hill said in a statement. "He brings with him a wealth of experience and I am thrilled that he has decided to join the Rebels."

Muggleton is assisting Georgia coach Richie Dixon guide the world No.16 team in their RWC campaign, which starts with their opening clash against Scotland on September 14 in Invercargill.

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