KEY POINTS:
Mark Anscombe will coach Auckland for the next two years in the national provincial rugby competition.
His appointment was announced today, ending speculation about who would succeed Shane Howarth.
Howarth inherited the role midway through the Air NZ Cup competition in a caretaker role before he assists Pat Lam with the Blues in next year's Super 14.
Anscombe coached Northland for the past three years, this year guiding them to 10th place compared to Auckland, the 2007 championships who finished 11th.
An Auckland representative in the late 1970s, he has previously coached Auckland Colts and development teams.
Auckland Rugby Union chief executive Andy Dalton said Anscombe's coaching experience provided Auckland with a seasoned coach who knew what it took to get the best out of players.
"Mark achieved some excellent success with Northland, he is well respected within the rugby community and I believe is the right fit for Auckland," Dalton said.
"His experience both playing and coaching the game spans nearly 30 years, having first played Auckland representative rugby back in 1977."
- NZPA
