KEY POINTS:
Tony Hanks has been appointed head coach of the Waikato Air New Zealand Cup rugby team, promoted from assistant coach to the Wales-bound Warren Gatland.
Hanks, 36, has been Waikato assistant coach for the past three seasons.
He has been skills coach for the Junior All Blacks for the past two years.
Hanks was skills coach and technical analyst for the Chiefs Super 14 side in 2006 and 2007, and will be their assistant coach in 2008.
He said he was "obviously excited" to get the Waikato job.
Waikato had a disappointing 2007, falling from national champions last year, to failing to make the semifinals this year.
"This season we went through a rebuilding phase, like in 2005, and the positive is we exposed a number of new players at Air New Zealand Cup level," Hanks said.
"I'm excited about what the 2008 season will bring for Waikato.
"Personally, it is the right time and the right team for me to take on a head coach role.
"It is pleasing to see that the traditional coaching pathway is still an option," he said.
Hanks will be assisted by Chris Gibbes, who during the 2007 Rugby World Cup was the assistant to John Kirwan with Japan.
Gibbes is a rugby development officer for the Waikato Rugby Union and a former Waikato B player, Hawke's Bay representative and New Zealand Colt.
- NZPA
