Waikato ready to find new NPC coach

The Waikato Rugby Union (WRU) is ready to find a new NPC coach this season, with John Mitchell a front-runner to get the new Super 12 job in Perth.

Mitchell's former Waikato teammate Warren Gatland may be high on the list of possible replacements.

WRU chief executive Gary Dawson said it had been agreed with Mitchell that the union would release him immediately from his NPC contract if he became head coach of the Western Australian side for the inaugural Super 14 next year. They would be similarly disposed should he get another overseas post.

"If he does get the (Perth) job it is better for him to move on and for us to look for another coach straight away," Dawson said.

"We've started to look at what our contingency plans would be and we're fairly confident of being able to replace John with another very good coach."

But Dawson said until Mitchell actually got the job it was purely speculation as to who might replace him.

Former All Blacks hooker Gatland has already announced he is returning home at the end of the current northern hemisphere season, having successfully coached Wasps in the English premiership and European championship since 2002 and the Irish national side before that.

Mitchell may end up replacing him at Wasps if he doesn't get the Perth job, having already been approached by that club's chief executive, but whether Gatland completes the perfect swap by taking on the Waikato NPC job is still uncertain.

"We haven't talked to Warren Gatland at all since this came up and won't be doing so until we know the outcome of Mitch's application for the Perth job," Dawson said.

Mitchell faces a job interview for that position in Sydney on Thursday, having gone there earlier to study coaching and training methods at three NRL rugby league franchises. An appointment is expected within a few days.

Dawson said he had kept in touch with Gatland for the last couple of years on an informal basis to see what his future plans were and he rubbished claims Gatland already had a Super 12 job with the Blues.

"I'd be very surprised if that was true because it is a New Zealand-contracted position and would have to be advertised by the New Zealand Rugby Union. (Incumbent Blues coach) Peter Sloane has already indicated he wants to keep his job."

Mitchell has kept Dawson up to date with various job offers, including a recent one from Wasps, which amounted to a phone call from the club's chief executive to ask him if he was interested.

Dawson said there was no point in holding Mitchell to his three-year contract, which is only a year old, against his will.

If he misses out on the Western Australian position, Mitchell will meet with Wasps club officials early next month.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs started their countdown to Friday night's Super 12 opener against the Waratahs in Sydney today with only the long-term injured trio of Keith Robinson, Tom Willis and Sitiveni Sivivatu ruled out for selection.

The Chiefs will have a referee from within their own franchise controlling their second match of the forthcoming Super 12 season following a relaxing of Sanzar's neutrality rules.

Bay of Plenty referee Bryce Lawrence will be in charge of the match against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday, March 5, with local derbies no longer having to be refereed by franchise-neutral officials.

South African referee Craig Joubert will be in control of this Friday night's opening match against the Waratahs, Kelvin Deaker (Hawke's Bay) will be in charge of the round-three home match against the Blues and South Africa's Jonathan Kaplan the round-four home game against the Reds.

- NZPA