Gatland named Waikato coach

Former All Blacks hooker Warren Gatland was today named coach of the Waikato NPC rugby team.

The former Waikato player, international coach of Ireland and most recently coach of London Wasps in England, has signed on for three seasons with Waikato, beginning in July this year.

He replaces John Mitchell, the former All Blacks coach who was recently appointed coach of the new Perth Super 14 franchise

Waikato Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Gary Dawson said the union was excited about the appointment of Gatland.

"Warren is recognised as one of the best rugby coaches in the world, particularly with his track record of success with Ireland and Wasps. He will be a huge asset to Waikato Rugby," Dawson said in a WRU statement.

"Given the unexpected departure of John Mitchell recently, it is good for the union, support staff and players to have so quickly found a replacement -- particularly someone of Gatland's calibre."

Gatland represented Waikato as a player from 1986-1994. In that time he played 140 games for the province, scored 71 points and captained Waikato in 1988.

He was a member of the Waikato team who won the 1992 NPC and in the team who won the Ranfurly Shield off Auckland in 1993.

His All Blacks career comprised 17 games but no tests between 1988 and 1991.

Gatland began his coaching career as player/coach at Taupiri in 1989 and was also coaching and playing for Galwegians in the West of Ireland in his off season.

After retiring from club and provincial rugby in 1994 he was assistant coach to Thames Valley in 1995 and took them from third to second division.

In 1996 he accepted a full-time coaching position with Connacht, the provincial side in the West of Ireland, taking them to the quarterfinals in Europe.

After two successful seasons with Connacht he became Irish national coach in February 1998.

After four years developing Irish rugby he took up the assistant coach role with London Wasps but was quickly offered the position of Director of Rugby.

In three seasons Gatland took London Wasps from the bottom of the Premiership to two titles in 2003 and 2004 -- including winning the Heineken Cup in 2004 -- and they are currrently sitting second in the English Premiership with hopes of retaining the title for a third successive year.

- NZPA