Gatland readjusts to coaching down under

Warren Gatland is facing an early headache after returning to New Zealand.

The former Ireland and Wasps coach returned home to his native Waikato province to take over as Mooloos boss for the 2005 NPC.

And the ex-All Black hooker has had to endure a period of readjustment after officially taking control on July 1.

The prodigal son has had to begin his pre-season campaign without at least 15 key players through international commitments.

All Black quintet Jono Gibbes, Marty Holah, Sione Lauaki, Byron Kelleher and Sitiveni Sivivatu are all missing.

Five New Zealand Colts, another five from the Junior All Blacks and Waikato’s Super 12 players have also made a delayed start to pre-season training.

Gatland told the Waikato Times: “It hasn’t been the easiest time with the All Blacks away, along with the Juniors and 21s.

"But that’s great for the province and I’m more than happy for those players to get the recognition at a higher level because that’s a big part of how I see my job, getting players selected for Super 12 and the end-of-season tour by the All Blacks.”

Despite being back in Hamilton for less than a month, Gatland has already noted the differences between the NPC and the pinnacle of northern hemisphere club action.

Having been a pre-eminent tactician in the cut and thrust of the English top ranks, where he led Wasps as director of rugby to three English titles and European supremacy, his NPC return has opened his eyes.

“You can’t make too many mistakes or you’ll find you’re out of contention,” he added.

“One of the luxuries of the Premiership in England is that, playing home and away, you’ve got 22 games and if you go through a spell of not playing that well for two or three games and you drop a couple of points, you put a run together and you’re back in contention again.

“I think for us it’s important that we get a good start and hopefully are there or thereabouts for if and when we get some of those All Blacks back later in the season.”