Warren Gatland will return to the Waikato Chiefs as director of rugby instead of head coach for the 2022 season with the Super Rugby side retaining his former assistant Clayton McMillan in the role after turning around the franchise’s fortunes.
Gatland joined the Chiefs as head coach in 2020 on a four-year deal with a sabbatical clause allowing him to coach the British and Irish Lions through their recent 2-1 series loss in South Africa.
He was due to return as Chiefs’ head coach for the 2022 Super Rugby season but will now take on a director of rugby role.
“The Chiefs’ new coaching structure will get the best out of two quality coaches and that’s a great result for the club, its players and its fans,” New Zealand Rugby’s high performance boss Chris Lendrum said in a Chiefs release.
“Clayton has impressed through his work with the Chiefs last year and with the Māori All Blacks and Warren’s international experience will be a valuable asset in helping him continue his development.”
Gatland’s first season at the Chiefs was disastrous, with the team losing all eight matches in New Zealand’s inaugural Super Rugby Aotearoa competition in 2020.
With Gatland off to the Lions, McMillan stepped in as interim head coach and guided the Chiefs to five successive wins before losing the Aotearoa final to Canterbury Crusaders in May.
The Chiefs offered few details of how the coaching setup would work but suggested Gatland’s job would be as a high performance boss and “mentor” to McMillan and his staff, who would ultimately be responsible for matchday performance.
Chiefs chief executive Mike Collins said it would be similar to the set-up when the team won back-to-back Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013, when head coach Dave Rennie, now the Wallabies boss, had former All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith in a supporting role.
Pedro
Roar Rookie
Amazing, a smart decision by rugby administrators.
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
Well to be pedantic Gats has now risen above his level of incompetence. No mean feat. The PP says people rise to their level of incompetence, in his case HC in NZ. His best work was with Wales. Should have realised that and retired.
Merlin
Roar Rookie
Its not a promotion - its face saving for Gatland - with his disaster season last year with the Chiefs and the Lions debacle..hes toast
Merlin
Roar Rookie
In other words sidelined!
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
Now that book is a good read RT...I read it when I was a baby dinosaur and I thought, some of the principles were outrageous then...funny how things pan out init??
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
It’s called Peter’s Principle :happy:
Blessing
Roar Rookie
Aaaaargh!!! Good for the Chiefs. I was happy that my Highlanders would have a better record than the Chiefs next season. Was looking forward to it. Unlucky.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
more money? Hmmm - I doubt it. Just a hunch.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Kick Fozzie upstairs and give Razor the gig! Tom, best Roar post this week
Faith
Roar Rookie
I wonder whether DMac - thought. With Gats coming back no time would be better to make some top dollar.
Faith
Roar Rookie
I wonder how this conversation panned out - gotta love NZ Rugby. Results irrespective of name is what counts. Everyone understands how absurd it would be if Chiefs fall behind even Gats. After BILs in S.A and Chief's disastrous season, isn't it clear that Gats is not cut out for attacking rugby and what Chiefs are in DNA. Hallelujah.
Tom
Guest
Can we give fozzy a director of rugby gig as well.
DDSmash
Guest
Worse thing about Gatland is that he is a grumpy prat too. Last time coaching chiefs 0-8. Should have kept that clown face on permanently when the French refs robbed us. Nil talent when it comes to attacking rugby - oh and winning.
winston
Roar Rookie
Noooooooooo!!!
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
They’re obviously doing well financially if they can afford to pay what must be a big salary for somebody to watch somebody else doing their job.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
JD I think it is both, Gatland lead the Chiefs to zero wins last year to finish last in the NZ comp. but also as you said the young coaches did a great job, hopefully they can keep the momentum going into the new season.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Unless he has agreed to a specific wage because of his contract, which would make sense also.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
I think it's less damning on Gatland than a reflection of the amazing work of Clayton this season. To get such a young team into the final took some doing.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I have not but normally a director of a business is on top dollar
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Where did you read that he's on more money?