“That will be one of the most important things we do,” Herbert told www.au.fourfourtwo.com at the recent FFA awards. “We need to learn from those guys because they’ve done such an incredible job.

"We’ll be starting from scratch… so we need to get our model right, and get it right straight from the start. What better place to learn than in Melbourne.”

Herbert was officially announced as coach of the Wellington franchise yesterday. He has signaled his intention to sign up to 12 Kiwi players for the new team.

"I think the players have signalled previously that there is a dedication to returning home," he told The Dominion Post.

"Now it's working through the priorities of which players will be more beneficial to have back here, and which players are going to be best left working through the European clubs, or American clubs, or current Australian clubs."

Herbert, who left New Zealand today to take the All-Whites on a two match tour of South America, added: "We've also had some discussions favourably with some players across the Tasman".