Gatland reveals Blues interest

Former Wasps and Ireland boss Warren Gatland has hinted he is interested in taking over as coach of Auckland Blues.

Current Blues chief David Nucifora is being strongly linked to replace Australia coach John Connelly, who is set to step down after the World Cup.

Gatland, the Chiefs assistant coach and Waikato’s Air New Zealand Cup winner, would prefer to open contract talks with his current employers.

But he admitted that the only Super 14 job he was interested in was with the Auckland franchise after current Chiefs boss Ian Foster extended his contract.

“I’ve had talks with a couple of clubs in Europe and a Super 14 franchise and I’ve said to them my preference is to stay in New Zealand and hopefully do a deal with Waikato,” the former All Blacks hooker told The Sunday News.

“The Blues is something I would think about. I wouldn’t be interested in going to the South Island.”