Warren Gatland is returning to his New Zealand roots after signing a four-year Super Rugby head coach deal with the Chiefs that allows him to fulfil his British and Irish Lions duties.
Decorated coach Gatland, 55, confirmed on Friday he will take charge of the Chiefs from next year through to 2023.
He will be coach for three of those four seasons, skipping the 2021 campaign because of that year’s commitment to lead the Lions on their tour of South Africa.
The announcement comes a day after an unexpected move from veteran Chiefs coach Colin Cooper to stand down two years into a three-year contract.
It opened a space for Gatland, who will end his long tenure as Welsh coach after this year’s World Cup.
Having been largely based in the UK and Ireland during a coaching career that spans 24 years, Gatland is looking forward to reconnecting with his rugby grassroots.
Born and raised in Hamilton, Gatland had a long association with the Chiefs’ provincial base of Waikato, who he represented as a player for nine years and later coached for three seasons.
He was the Chiefs technical advisor in 2006-07 before becoming Wales coach and leading them to four Six Nations crowns, with this year’s triumph being his third grand slam.
After being anointed Lions coach for a third tour, Gatland this month stated he would like to coach at Super Rugby level again.
It was widely suspected the two-time champion Chiefs were the team in his sights.
“I am really excited about the opportunity to come back home,” he said in a statement.
“The Chiefs are well known for the success they’ve had both on and off the field and the really loyal support they have from everyone within the Chiefs region.
“To be part of the Chiefs community with the players, the fans, the sponsors, it’s something I really look forward to.”
NZ Rugby head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum described Gatland’s return as win on many levels as it would attract global attention.
“This is an outstanding appointment and a coup for the Chiefs, for Super Rugby and for the game in New Zealand generally,” he said.
“We are excited to have a coach of Gats’ experience and international standing coming back into our environment.”
Gatland will move quickly to the forefront of future All Blacks coaching contenders.
The last two New Zealand head coaches – Graham Henry and Steve Hansen – were both Welsh national coaches before returning home to take charge of the All Blacks.
Cole
Roar Rookie
He certainly got the Chiefs firing after a slow start, maybe the Tahs should inquiring as to his services?
Rugbyfan in East Perth
Guest
Well its highly convenient and i can't believe more people are not talking about that. This is most likely a deal done during the season when it was unlikely that the Chiefs would make the finals. Whether Coops himself came forward and resigned or Gatland made himself available and Coops was asked to move on. Anyway its probably irrelevant as Coops seems comfortable with it. I just don't understand the BS now the season is over.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Welcome home Gats. Been too long. Looking forward to next season with far more interest. For Jacko, what you hear about Gatland or Warrenball or your concerns and feelings. Put them aside, watch some old shield footage with players like Gats, Mitch, Buck Anderson, Monkley, the Gordon’s, Paul Koteka, Arthur Stone, Paddy Darbo,. Rugby has moved on a lot but the passion on and off the field was far more real and greater than in the professional franchise era. He was a Waikato legend when he played. His parents home was like walking into a shrine when I went there for some rugby party / do many moons ago now, with all the photos of him from junior rugby all the way through, which means this is his life and has been for a long long time. Too many people second guess and start a narrative about people before someone has even turned up. Be excited and look forward to it. If it doesn’t work out, worry about that then. In the meantime, best news I have heard for a long time. Mooloo ole ole ole mooloo ahhh the mooloo man returns home.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Great news for the Chiefs, it will be interesting to see what direction he takes them in. Clearly a team that has tremendous talent and potential, but in desperate we’d of some direction. I’m glad Gats is returning to NZ and especially the mighty Waikato. I was in high school on Hamilton and I still remember the ‘93 win over Auckland to take back the Ranfurly Shield, and the lease afterwards. There is a picture from that parade, with Gats, Ian Foster, and John Mitchell, all around the shield looking stoked. So, I imagine it will be really nice to come home and i hope the Waikato crowd get behind him. Thanks Cooper for all your contribution. Probably a good time to hang up the boots with the Mooloo men. You have done yourself proud and can hold your head high.
riddler
Roar Rookie
danny u trying to tell me the lure of the ab job is greater than wallaby gig?? this ain't april's fools day mate!!
samalavich
Roar Rookie
thats a good point neutral. can't say it was his only option. he's a sought after man and you would think that he'll put a lot of passion into coaching the chiefs.
samalavich
Roar Rookie
bring back blackadder
samalavich
Roar Rookie
i like that redistribution of coaches very much, mostly get razor away from those flipping crusaders.
ClassAct
Guest
Warren to the Chiefs, Razor to the All Blacks and Chieka to the Crusaders. You heard it hear first folks!
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Personally, I'm in the overjoyed phase! Cooper is a quality human being but he doesn't attract the top players - or even the best Naki players - and the work ethic of the team didn't make up for our poor organisation at times. We were never going to win a title under him. In direct answer to your question, Cooper was treading water, Gats will attract better players, demand excellence, make us resilient and more physical and give us the chance to win the comp.
Danny
Roar Pro
Problem is lure of ABs riddler. Tahs shouldn’t panic lots of talent out there and they have time. Jamie Joseph would be good maybe he’s loose now SWs are going down.
riddler
Roar Rookie
Would have loved him to take on the tahs. That would have been great for Oz rugby. He is an amazing coach.
Crusader for Christ(church)
Guest
I assume you're not from Canterbury, Simoc? If the Crusaders win their next two games 3-0 it wouldn't bother me in the slightest. I don't particularly care how they win, just that they win.
Cole
Roar Rookie
Wow! That is good news for the Chiefs, I guess Cooper may have been asked to move on the aye?
smoothy
Roar Rookie
Funnily enough, I tend to think it may actually be a sign that our coaches still look at Australia (and South Africa) as our true, dangerous rivals... We occasionally try to take a fair bit of credit (on behalf of our coaches/players) for the improved play in the Northern hemisphere - so I think that any reasonable Kiwi rugby fan would be a little nervous if a coach like Dave Rennie or Warren Gatland got a hold of the Aus/SA national team!
Danny
Roar Pro
Mid 50s he’s got 15-20 years all things equal.
rebel
Roar Guru
Yeah I had to check his age as he's been an international coach for years since Ireland. Definitely got a full CV.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
A Blues job may well have fitted better LOL! Well played. To be fair, I am not a big of Gats, but he has - kind of - won me over with both decent results and an ability to develop the sides he coaches. Considering what is on the "market" I think the Chiefs have done a great move. And more importantly, Gats really wants this gig and he has turned down BIG MONEY to get this chance to coach the team in his heart. Gotta respect that.
Jacko
Guest
JD if thats aimed at me its not me being negative at all.....Im just trying to see where he will take the Chiefs and whether this was a needed change.....Cooper had a year to run and had got the Chiefs to the finals in both his years.....The decision has been made so Im happy to say my opinion then move into acceptance stage....
CUW
Roar Rookie
not sure if he can have a go with NZ if it is then it is now - right after hansen already he is 55 and there is Scot R and a few others younger