Gatland on shortlist to coach All Blacks

BRITISH and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland is ready to lock horns with All Blacks coach Steve Hansen — and he could soon take his job.

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew says Gatland is among a host of Europe-based candidates in the running to replace World Cup-winner Hansen.

Hansen, 58, has been in the post since 2012 and is contracted until 2019. Tew will lead the search for a replacement if he does not sign an extension.

Assistant coach Ian Foster is frontrunner, but Tew told Sportsmail that Gatland would be welcomed back to New Zealand when he steps down from Wales duty after the 2019 World Cup.

‘Steve hasn’t made a final decision yet,’ said Tew. ‘There are obviously a group of coaches in place and Ian Foster is doing very well. We’ll certainly have a plan in place, whether it involves Steve or not.

‘There are a dozen or so New Zealandborn coaches that we’d ultimately like to come back.

‘It’s not hard to monitor someone like Warren because he’s coaching an international team. But there are other guys in our minds, too: Joe Schmidt, Jamie Joseph, Greg Feek and a list of others.’

Victory over the All Blacks later this month would be a sizeable feather in Gatland’s cap — and the Kiwi has made no secret of his desire to become coach of his home country.

‘Ultimately we live in an international marketplace and New Zealanders like to travel, whether they’re doctors, teachers or rugby coaches,’ said Tew. ‘Realistically, not every coach that leaves New Zealand comes back. Not every coach becomes better, either, but certainly some do.

‘Look at Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen. Warren left New Zealand as a very capable coach and he’s clearly a better coach now than when he left. He’s been a successful coach for a long time. So has Joe Schmidt. So has Ian Foster. We’ve got plenty of depth and credibility in our coaches.’