Rugby: Davies tips Gatland to coach All Blacks

Wales and Lions rugby legend Mervyn Davies expects national coach Warren Gatland will step down after next year's World Cup and return to coach in New Zealand.

Gatland's contract expires after the 2011 tournament and he has revealed he has already received some coaching offers, with the Chiefs and All Blacks jobs potentially up for grabs.

This has prompted the Welsh Rugby Union to look at his long-term future, but Davies believes Gatland will not be in charge in 2012.

"I don't think Warren Gatland will stick around after the World Cup," the former Wales captain said.

"My guess is he will be back in New Zealand coaching the All Blacks. I think he's using the Wales job as a stepping stone.

"He has tried hard with Wales, but I believe his main goal would probably be to hold the reins for his own country. I feel ultimately the Southern Hemisphere coaches want to take charge of their own national teams.

"It happened with Graham Henry and Steve Hansen, who are now coaching New Zealand after spells with Wales, and I'd be surprised if it didn't happen with Warren.

"Anyway, four or five years is long enough for a coach to be in charge of the same team. After that length of time, the voice in the dressing room doesn't have the effect that it once had."

Davies said public expectations of Wales must be lowered after Ryan Jones' side returned home after losing both tests against the All Blacks in Dunedin and Hamilton.

- NZPA