Where will Warren Gatland touch down in New Zealand?
Having been reappointed as head coach of the British & Irish Lions for their tour to South Africa in 2021, Warren Gatland has reaffirmed that he has his sights set on a New Zealand coaching gig in the near future.
Gatland will take Wales to the World Cup later in the year in his last act as head coach of the team that he has now spent 12 years with. After the global tournament, Gatland will coach the Barbarians against this former side before turning his attention to the upcoming Lions series.
“I’ll focus 100 per cent on the Lions for those 12 months [after the World Cup] and then hopefully have an opportunity to go back to New Zealand and pick up something and then take it from there,” Gatland has said.
Gatland has made it no secret that he wants to coach a Super Rugby side, potentially with an eye to one day coaching his native New Zealand side.
“I would love to be involved with Super Rugby and to challenge myself with that,” he previously told the BBC.
“I want to go back. I have been head coach with Waikato and won a championship there and I want to challenge myself with Super Rugby.”
Waikato won the 2006 NPC with Gatland at the helm. It was a breakout season for the likes of former All Blacks Liam Messam, Brendon Leonard and Richard Kahui.
Gatland’s success with Wales and the Lions is well-known and New Zealand Rugby will be licking their lips at the chance of having the outspoken ex-hooker on the books.
Where, then, could Warren Gatland take over as head coach?
Chiefs
Gatland’s home province of Waikato seems like the obvious destination for the celebrated former player and coach.
Current coach Colin Cooper comes off contract with the 2012 and 2013 Super Rugby champions at the end of 2020, so an interim would need to take over for the 2021 season if Gatland were to join the franchise at the end of the Lions tour.
The Chiefs have achieved mixed results since Cooper took over. The side managed a quarter-final appearance last year and could do the same this season if they can secure a victory against the Rebels in Melbourne this Friday (other results dependent).
Whilst the above seems like a reasonable achievement on the face of it, the Chiefs have performed poorly in 2019 and a quarter-final spot will be more a result of the under-performance of the other teams in the competition than on any form the Chiefs have shown. In a tournament where over half the teams qualify for the finals series, a spot in the knockout rounds should be the minimum required for an experienced coach.
Some have suggested that Cooper’s time with the Chiefs could be done after an unimpressive 2019 season – but with few experienced options available immediately from next year, that might not be the wisest move.
The Chiefs’ biggest issue in 2019 has been their woeful defence, which has appeared to lack any system or structure. The 457 points that the side have conceded this season is the most by any Chiefs team in the history of Super Rugby. That deficiency can’t all be attributed to Cooper, with specialist defence coach Neil Barnes also on the books.
Defence is, of course, one of Gatland’s specialities – the rush defence utilised by Gatland’s charges during the mid-2000’s snuffed many an attack from the opposition. In this year’s Six Nations, Wales conceded a mere 65 points – 35 fewer than the next best side.
Returning to the Waikato region will likely be Gatland’s first choice, given his ties to the province.
Crusaders
The Crusaders are yet to appoint a coach who was had not already spent plenty of time in the franchise surroundings, but they would likely jump at the chance to bring in an experienced campaigner like Gatland.
Current coach Scott Robertson has taken the Crusaders of the 2010’s from also-rans to perennial champions and will likely achieve a third title in as many years in the coming weeks.
Robertson’s contract will conclude once this season ends and if he were to seek an extension then he would be snapped up in a heartbeat. The expectation, however, is that that Robertson has higher aspirations than Super Rugby and will be looking for a position in the All Blacks set up.
Current New Zealand assistant Ian Foster is probably the favourite to take over from Steve Hansen after the World Cup, given the succession system that has been popular in recent times – but a poor result could see a new direction sought. Robertson would appeal as the obvious candidate to step up. Steve Tew’s recent decision to stand down as CEO of New Zealand Rugby could also work in Robertson’s favour.
Whatever the outcome of the All Blacks’ coaching decision, Robertson will likely want to be involved in international rugby one way or another. Whether that’s as an assistant with New Zealand or as a head coach elsewhere is anyone’s guess.
Regardless of the various permutations, there’s a very slim chance that Robertson will still be coaching the Crusaders in 2021.
Gatland’s hard-nosed approach would likely appeal to the Crusaders, who build their game on forward dominance. The major obstacle for Gatland taking over is that a new coach will likely be needed from next year – which will be two years too early for Gatland. If the Crusaders appoint someone in the meantime, are they likely to be content with a two-year deal?
Blues
That brings us to the poisoned chalice that is the Blues head coaching role.
The Blues have employed the equal most head coaches of any New Zealand Super Rugby franchise, for good reason.
The Blues have underperformed for the last 15 years and a number of attempts have been made to improve the team’s performance from the grassroots up. No doubt there are issues with the set-up in Auckland – but regardless of the problems, the Blues have had good enough squads over the last decade and a half to achieve considerably more than they have.
One major difference that Gatland would have over the previous Blues coaches is copious experience. The previous four coaches, Leon MacDonald, Tana Umaga, Pat Lam and John Kirwan were all appointed on the back of work they did for, frankly, lesser teams. MacDonald, Umaga and Lam all cut their teeth with provincial sides while Kirwan was head coach at Japan.
Whilst appointing young coaches isn’t necessarily a bad thing (in fact, it’s a natural step up and fair reward for developing coaches), the expectations and hopes thrust upon the head coach of New Zealand’s first Super Rugby champions may require someone with a bit more savvy.
Other opportunities
The Highlanders are well equipped in the coaching stakes with Aaron Mauger and Tony Brown both on the books from next year. Mauger has already spent time overseas and will likely be looking to earn his stripes in New Zealand for a number of years while Brown is a prodigious talent and appeals as a long-term candidate for an All Blacks role.
The Hurricanes are the only team in New Zealand whose head coach actually comes off contract at the end of 2021. The Hurricanes probably wouldn’t be as enticing to Gatland compared to other franchises, however, as they don’t have the pedigree of the Crusaders, the home appeal of the Chiefs or the opportunity to redeem a former superpower that comes with the role at the Blues.
If there aren’t any opportunities available at Super Rugby level then Gatland may be asked to bide his time in a different role for New Zealand. Couple a behind-the-scenes role with a coaching position for the likes of Waikato or the New Zealand Under 20s and it might be possible to lock Gatland down for the future.
The chances of an international coach of Gatland’s chops actually stepping down into a provincial role may be a tough ask, however, and the smallest carrot that could entice Gatland home might just be a Super Rugby role.
While there may be few obvious open opportunities for Gatland in New Zealand come 2022, the country would be stupid not to try fit the elder statesman into their systems somewhere. Gatland has proven himself at all levels of the game and with so many experienced campaigners heading overseas to man teams in Europe and Japan, bringing home a coach of Gatland’s calibre would be an excellent coup for New Zealand Rugby.
Comments on RugbyPass
Wow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
1 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
12 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
1 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
1 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
16 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
16 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to commentsMake what step up? Manie has a World Cup winner’s medal around his neck and changed the way the Springboks can play. He doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone. The win record of the Boks with him in the team is tremendous. Sacha can be wonderful and I hope he has a very succesful Bok career, but comparing him to Manie in terms of the next Bok flyhalf is very strange. Manie is the incumbent (not the next) and doing pretty incredibly.
4 Go to comments00 😍 U
1 Go to commentsSabbaticals have helped keep NZ’s very best talent in the country on long term deals - this fact has been left out of this article. Much like the articles calling to allow overseas players to be selected, yet can only name one player currently not signed to NZR who would be selected for the ABs. And in the entire history of NZ players leaving to play overseas, literally only 4 or 5 have left in their prime as current ABs. (Piatau, Evans, Hayman, Mo’unga,?) Yes Carter got an injury while playing in France 16 years ago, but he also got a tournament ending injury at the 2011 World Cup while taking mid-week practice kicks at goal. Maybe Jordie gets a season-ending injury while playing in Ireland, maybe he gets one next week against the Brumbies. NZR have many shortcomings, but keeping the very best players in the country and/or available for ABs selection is not one of them. Likewise for workload management - players missing 2 games out of 14 is hardly a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Again let’s use some facts - did it stop the Crusaders winning SR so many times consecutively when during any given week they would be missing 2 of their best players? The whole idea of the sabbatical is to reward your best players who are willing to sign very long term deals with some time to do whatever they want. They are not handed out willy-nilly, and at nowhere near the levels that would somehow devalue Super Rugby. In this particular example JB is locked in with NZR for what will probably (hopefully) be the best years of his career, hard to imagine him not sticking around for a couple more after for a Lions tour and one more world cup. He has the potential to become the most capped AB of all time. A much better outcome than him leaving NZ for a minimum of 3 years at the age of 27, unlikely to ever play for the ABs again, which would be the likely alternative.
3 Go to commentsJake White talks more sense than anything I've read in the last 5 years. Hope someone's listening.
16 Go to comments