The ACT Brumbies have sensationally sacked coach Andy Friend after only two matches of the season.The Canberra Times understands Friend has just been told he no longer has the club’s support.

Defence coach Tony Rea will take over as coach immediately.

The Brumbies held a media conference to announce Rea would take over the top job until the end of the season.

A former rugby league hooker with North Sydney and the London Broncos, Rea was coach and chief executive of the Super League side before joining the Brumbies for the 2009 season.

It’s unknown whether he is seen as a long-term coaching option, or whether he will be a custodian until backline coach Stephen Larkham or one of the other assistants gains enough experience.

Rea was appointed on Friend’s recommendation after the pair worked together in Britain.

Friend told The Canberra Times recently of the precarious life of a coach.

“One of the things about being a coach is that you understand the fragile nature of your tenure,” Friend said of the season.

“Regardless of what your contract is, there’s always pressure in footy.

“The pressure is there if you’ve got three years left on your contract and you’re not achieving what you should be achieving, or when you’re not performing the way you think you should be performing.”

Friend was in the third year of his contract after taking over from Laurie Fisher in 2009.

The Brumbies sit in sixth spot on the table with one win and one loss.

However it was the 25-24 loss to the Melbourne Rebels that sealed Friend’s fate. The Rebels had been humiliated 43-0 the week before and the disjointed Brumbies failed to capitalise on their huge possession.

That defeat came amid revelations of team disharmony and a player push to have Larkham given more authority. Media reports over the past two days have amplified that pressure.

Friend was due to meet chief executive Andrew Fagan to discuss his future after six weeks of the competition. He had hoped to have an early decision on his position to allow him to move his family if necessary.

“For me, I’ve always wanted stability in the family,” Friend said. “We’ve got two boys at school in Canberra and my idea would be to stay here and see them through [school]. In saying that, we’re always very aware of the nature of this job and you can’t control it sometimes.”

However, Friend has not even been given that chance to correct the situation.

Friend’s saga brings back the memories of David Nucifora’s sacking in 2004.

Nucifora was the victim of a player revolt against his coaching style. He remained at the helm for the season and the team went on to win the title at home against the Canterbury Crusaders.