Gatland eyeing up Super Rugby coaching roles

Kiwi coach Warren Gatland is keeping an eye open on possible Super Rugby coaching roles as he nears the end of his tenure with Wales.

Gatland will finish his role with Wales after the Rugby World Cup and is keen on a return to New Zealand.

“There is nothing concrete,” Gatland told The Times.

“Maybe at the end of the World Cup I’ll be unemployed.

“I was looking to take a few months off and then start looking in the middle of 2020, potentially do some Super Rugby in New Zealand if there was an opportunity.

After transforming Wales into the number third-ranked side in the world and orchestrating a drawn series against the All Blacks for the British & Irish Lions, Gatland will be in demand. However, it remains to be seen how many coaching roles will be available for New Zealand Super Rugby teams in 2020.

John Plumtree has just been appointed as the Hurricanes next head coach after years of waiting in the wings as an assistant, Leon Macdonald has taken the reigns at the Blues for 2019, and Colin Cooper and Aaron Mauger are only entering their second years as head coaches of the Chiefs and Highlanders respectively.

Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has indicated his desire to coach overseas and with the All Blacks, which looks like the most promising option however still has a large degree of uncertainty.

“But I am also aware that there are not a lot of jobs in New Zealand.

“That might not be an option. So it’s whether it is back in club rugby in the Premiership or France or Japan or something like that.”

As Wales prepares to make another run at Six Nations glory, Gatland said the annual tournament has always been the focus.

“This is the competition we really focus on,” he told The Times.

“We’re in no doubt that during my tenure we’re disappointed we haven’t had more success against southern-hemisphere teams, but that hasn’t always been our focus.

“It has been on the Six Nations and doing well there, where history and points and pride are at stake. I think we’ll do well in this Six Nations.”

Since Gatland took over the side in 2007, Wales has won three Six Nations titles (2008, 2012, 2013) including two Grand Slams (2008, 2012). After going through the Autumn Internationals undefeated with four wins from four matches, Wales has begun to attract attention as a genuine World Cup contender.

“I take a lot of pride in the fact we go out there and it doesn’t matter who we play, they know they’re in for one hell of a tough game,” Gatland said.

“For me, it’s not always about winning, it’s about becoming hard to beat and if you do that you get a sense of pride in how you do things. Then it’s about winning more often and developing your game.”

Rugby World Cup city guide – Oita: