KEY POINTS:
Shane Howarth will guide Auckland rugby for the remainder of the Air NZ Cup after being named head coach today.
Stepping up from his role as assistant coach of the team, Howarth will take the reins from former head coach Pat Lum, who was recently appointed Blues head coach for the next three years.
Auckland Rugby chief executive Andy Dalton said as the team were well into the season, it made sense for Howarth to take over as head coach.
"Auckland Rugby believes he is the right person for the job at this time given his expertise and current coaching role with the team," Dalton said.
Howarth said he felt it was important to provide as much stability and consistency to the squad as possible, particularly after the disruption caused by Lam's departure.
"We have a lot of players new to this level and we've been working hard together for many months. It was very important to me to stay with the team and continue on our campaign with minimal further disruption."
However, with Howarth having already signed on as assistant coach to the Blues for the next three years, his role as head coach may be shortlived. Dalton confirmed the Auckland head and assistant coaches positions for 2009 would be advertised later in the year.
- NZPA
