Lewis hoping Gatland will sign on dotted line

Thursday 5 August 2010
Published By: Ben Welch
International Rugby > Wales

Wales Rugby Union Chief Executive Roger Lewis is hoping that Warren Gatland will sign a two year extension to his current four year contract.

Head Coach of Wales Gatland is current;y in negotiations with the WRU and has admitted he does have alternative options should things not work out with Wales, including options back in his home country of New Zealand.

Gatland has been heavily tipped to take over from current All Blacks coach Graham Henry when his reign ends after the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Henrys Assistant coach Steve Hansen and Warren Gatland are currently the front runners for the job and Lewis is keen to keep Gatland for as long as possible:

"The certainty is that Warren is with us through to the World Cup and now leading up the World Cup we will need to be considering what after the World Cup and everyone knows my support for Warren and what he has achieved.

"We have to have detailed what next within the rugby planning We already have a number of things in place as we have a five-year agreement with our regions with the option for another five years and we are putting in place a national academy.

"I want a winning coach and I believe what Warren has delivered so far is outstanding for Wales so that gives you a glimpse of my support for Warren.

"But there are other things to bear in mind with an international coach such as Warren is what else is on his agenda for his career and also his life in general.  I think Warren has been outstanding for Wales and must get what is right for Wales but Warren as well. But the coming months will be important for what we do after the World Cup."