Wales and British and Irish Lions boss Warren Gatland has hinted that he has a strong desire to coach at Super Rugby level one day.
Gatland hinted that the Chiefs head coaching role would be enough to lure him back to New Zealand.
He coached Waikato from 2005 to 2007 in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship before starting his coaching stint with Wales.
Although no certain plans have been made and the role at the Chiefs is unlikely to become available after Dave Rennie guided the Hamilton-based outfit to their first title this year, Gatland has a fondness for Waikato, who he also represented in 140 matches as a hooker from 1986 to 1994.
"I'm not going to be here forever," he told Fairfax Media.
"When I do leave Welsh rugby I hope I leave it in a better state than when I arrived.
"I'd like to go back to coach in New Zealand. It's not something I plan for. If the opportunity arises and it's the right opportunity I'll definitely look at it.
"At some stage being involved in Super Rugby would be a challenge. I've been lucky enough to have done Waikato in the NPC.
"That was great. I had some involvement as a technical and assistant coach with the Chiefs, but to be able to have a head role...it may happen sometime in the future."
Gatland is contracted to Wales until the next World Cup in 2015 and although he is realistic about gaining a job in New Zealand, he is keen to signal his interest if an opening should arise.
"The thing about New Zealand is, compared to Europe, there's not a lot of jobs," he explained.
"There's five Super Rugby teams and the All Blacks job. It depends on who is contracted and who is available.
"You've got to be at the right place and right time to get appointed and earn a job in New Zealand. I'm well aware of that. We'll see what happens.
"The next couple of years I'll start making some plans."
Comments
benski says...
I don't think he is suggesting coaching the ABs, if you read the article he wants to coach Super Rugby in NZ not the national team. I don't think there is much of an opening for him in NZ but we would take him in S.A. no probs, bring him in to coach the Southern Kings! In the meantime, as ArmchairGeneral and RugbyLocos have said, concentrate on what you are supposed to be doing!!!
Posted 11:02 29th November 2012
Kiwikev says...
@ rakavi187
Fair point mate but there is a chemistry issue along with the coaching nous and setup...
Just wondering if Gats has it and for my money, until I see him in SR, I won't be convinced...
Posted 06:27 29th November 2012
Ramage says...
Oh well I think I agree more with the comments of tamjon and ferdie in regards to where Gatland is in the pecking order.Methinkshe has left his run too late.
As to his sabbatical wasnt that due to being firstly being injured and appointed to Higher caching duties with the Lions. Hardly a sabbatical. Look what happened to the Welsh team when placed back in the hands of a fellow Welshman lol. Howley must be one of the greatest Welsh jokes and they are noted as outstanding standup comedians.
Posted 01:09 29th November 2012
Sasquatch says...
Uhhhh...Cape Town is lovely both in the Winter and in the Summer. And we'll be needing a new national coach pretty soon. Forget Super rugby Warren, you'll have better luck with the Boks...
Posted 23:27 28th November 2012
rakavi187 says...
@ Kiwikev
If you think about it, both Henry & Hansen have been successfull with the ABs thanks to their experience with Wales.
Gatland might take us to the next level...
Posted 19:49 28th November 2012
passtheball says...
kiwikev - there have been several AB coaches that were not as good or as successful as Gatland. Its as much about politics in the end.
Compare the achievements of Foster or for that matter Hansen with Gatland at Wales.
Posted 14:11 28th November 2012
Tamjon says...
Gatland is a good coach, however there are just as many coaches currently in NZ that are as good as, or better than Gatland. Rennie has a brilliant record with the U20's and now with the Chiefs, he also seems to be able to put together a very good coaching team as well. Rennie is definately my pick for next AB coach, and would like to see Umaga keep progressing to become AB coach further down the track.
Posted 00:03 28th November 2012
Tamjon says...
Gatland is a good coach, however there are just as many coaches currently in NZ that are as good as, or better than Gatland. Rennie has a brilliant record with the U20's and now with the Chiefs, he also seems to be able to put together a very good coaching team as well. Rennie is definately my pick for next AB coach, and would like to see Umaga keep progressing to become AB coach further down the track.
Posted 00:02 28th November 2012
passtheball says...
Agree three6three6 - its long shot that might not come off. He was offered the Highlanders but wanted the Blues or Chiefs - Joseph took it. You really have to be a good boy for a long time (Foster) or very political (Henry) to get to the promised land. Not sure that Gats has the patience or the political skulduggery.
Posted 14:08 27th November 2012
Kiwikev says...
@ three6three6
No, he is not currently good enough to be the AB coach and being the coach of a NZ SR franchise is hardly a step down from Wales. Until he proves himself in Super Rugby, he has little chance at the AB role and even then, he may not get a shot at the gold...
Posted 13:31 27th November 2012
three6three6 says...
Of course Gatland is good enough to be Head Coach of the All Blacks.... But the question is whether he could put a coaching team together. But in any event the national selection process demands that he puts in some time coaching a NZ Super Rugby franchise. Whilst this would certainly be a step down for Gatland, it is what he must do should he continue to aspire to the best job in international rugby.
Quite frankly it would be easier to play musical chairs in Europe than to come home to New Zealand ONLY to have to continue to wait for an opportunity to arise to coach the All Blacks.
This current coaching group will be around until the next RWC and then provided successful this group will be reappointed for another term. This process really is "filling dead men's shoes." The brightest and the best coaching talent will have long been poached by overseas clubs / provinces / national teams. The sad reality about NZ rugby is that there are not sufficient good quality coaching opportunities for all of the young coaches. Contrast this with Australia - where clearly there are many coaching opportunities but with a smaller pool of quality coaches
Posted 08:07 27th November 2012
ferdie says...
melkdave - I don' think he has a chance of the AB post. Ahead of him will be Dave Rennie, Jamie Joseph, Tana Umaga, , and possible other contenders John Kirwan, Mark Hammett, and of course who says Steve Hansen will necessarily finish in 2015? Think he's only about 50 now.
As happened with Deans' non-selection the head coach is picked on basis of his coaching/selection team. Hansen had this team, Deans did not have one, seems he was, and still is, somewhat of a one-man band. Hard to see Gatland putting such a group of three together.
May never happen but I'd love to see the three I mnetioned first - Rennie supported by Umaga and Joseph.
I don't rate Blackadder as being of AB/international standard.
Then there are the many other NZ coaches overseas - the rugby world is littered with them at club and national level.
Posted 01:52 27th November 2012
Paulo says...
Melkdave - get real mate as this guy is not AB Coach material . . . the next AB Coaching Team post-2015 is Dave Rennie (Chiefs) + Jamie Joseph (Highlanders) + Tana Umaga (Steelers).
Suspect Gat's will never get a Super 15 Coach contract unless it is in SA!!!
Posted 22:00 26th November 2012
RugbyLocos says...
Currently on a year sabatical from your comitments with Wales (leaving them in dissaray and in the hands of Mr Howlers) and now you're already dreaming of the bright lights of Super Rugby.
For the moment please concentrate on making sure that your current team does not drop out of the top 8 for the world rankings on Saturday.
Posted 21:35 26th November 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
jeez. Only half an eye on what he's supposed to be doing. No wonder Wales are in decline. Is his heart even in the Lions project?
Posted 19:48 26th November 2012
jmanngod says...
If he's lucky he may be able to get someone like Andrew Hore to coach the forwards or Dan Carter to help with the backs... oh wait, he slagged them off didn't he.... oh well.
Posted 19:38 26th November 2012
Isograford says...
Would be great to see him back, although he's apparently ruffled a few feathers here with his comments over the years. The Chiefs obviously don't need him at the moment, but maybe the Crusaders should go for him.
Posted 17:56 26th November 2012
melkdave says...
I have nodougt he will after the 2015 RWC,and most probily the ABs after that
Posted 15:02 26th November 2012
bokbokbok says...
it would be a significant step up for him to do this. Good on him for dreaming about a better future for himself though!
Posted 11:55 26th November 2012