Mooloo fly in for Gatland

Warren Gatland or bust appears to be the way Waikato are thinking, now that it's almost certain they have lost NPC coach John Mitchell.

Waikato believe Gatland is, by some considerable distance, the best replacement for Mitchell and will pour all their efforts into signing the Wasps coach ahead of this year's NPC.

Mitchell, the former All Black coach dumped after the 2003 World Cup, is expected to be confirmed early this week as head coach of the new Australian Super 14 team to be based in Perth. Should he miss out on the Perth job, Mitchell is being headhunted to replace Gatland at London club Wasps.

Gatland, a former Waikato player, will quit Wasps a year early and return to New Zealand when the English season finishes in late May. He has been clear he only wants to coach in the north of the North Island so he can be near family in Hamilton and Auckland.

In his nine years overseas, Gatland coached Connacht, Ireland and Wasps and he returns to New Zealand rated one of the best coaches in the world.

Waikato chief executive Gary Dawson says Gatland is an option but he has not spoken with the former All Black hooker since he announced he's coming home.

"We have not had any contact with him (Gatland) at all," Dawson said. "Until there is an actual vacancy we won't be doing anything. I can state categorically. I have not spoken to him at all. It's an option if a vacancy comes up and he is interested.

"We have discussed informally what some of the options may be. But really we are just waiting to see what the announcement (of the Perth job) is. We have got our normal board meeting on Tuesday night. I would imagine there will be some discussion about it.

"Next week we may be able to share what some of our options are. At this stage it has been a lot of 'what if' discussions."

Understandably Dawson is keen to give the impression Waikato have plenty of replacement options. But despite the talk, Waikato want Gatland as he has skills and experience that few, if any, coaches in New Zealand can match.

The only concern about Gatland is he may not find the NPC enough of a challenge. Mitchell is looking to leave because he feels he needs to be coaching at a higher level.

The possibility of the job not being enough for Gatland has been considered by Dawson.

"Someone like Mitch has to be involved with the team for much of the year," he says. "Having no involvement in Super 12, there was quite a bit of down time for him so that will be a factor as well. I'm sure we will take all of these things into account."

Gatland is ineliegible for a head coaching job at Super 12 until he has been coaching in New Zealand for 12 months. He could take an assistant post and has been linked to the Blues.

If Gatland can't be lured, Waikato will consider promoting an aspiring coach they believe to be ready to make his mark.

Current Waikato assistant Duanne Monkley is much respected and a legend in the region, while Bay of Plenty assistant coach Kevin Schuler also fits into the up-and-coming category.


- HERALD ON SUNDAY