Blues want Gatland, says Deans

Crusaders coach Robbie Deans has put a bomb under the Super 12 preparations by claiming that New Zealand-bound coach Warren Gatland will join the Blues next season.

The Blues tried to play down the issue last night but privately some from their camp are fuming at Deans' claim they have jumped for Gatland.

Deans' remarks could undermine the position of Blues coach Peter Sloane and adds a disruption to their lead-up to the Super 12, which begins in a fortnight.

Sloane's contract ends this year and his position is hardly secure, despite a healthy 24-win, 1-draw, 10-loss record.

The 2003 team won the title. But Graham Henry's one-season influence was widely seen as critical to that triumph, and Sloane's 2002 and 2004 teams failed to make the playoffs with a 12-1-9 record.

Chiefs boss Gary Dawson entered the Deans controversy last night, saying he would be "shocked and amazed" if the Blues had circumvented the New Zealand Rugby Union's appointment procedure by signing Gatland now. The NZRFU contracts both the head and assistant coaches.

Deans words, reported on radio, should add an extra spark to the Blues-Crusaders fourth round clash at Eden Park, another chapter in an Auckland-Canterbury rugby history full of antipathy.

He has stepped into dangerous territory with maybe a cheeky attempt to disrupt a rival's campaign. Deans comes off his contract this year and made the comment when asked if Gatland might be lured to Christchurch. While Deans stated Gatland had been hired for a "role" with the Blues, the natural inference is a man of his experience would be the head coach.

It is highly conceivable that Gatland, who is quitting London Wasps, will end up at the Blues.

The former Waikato and All Black hooker - who has a fine record and reputation as a club coach and with Ireland - wants to live in the upper North Island.

Gatland, who like Sloane and Blues technical adviser David Nucifora was an international hooker, will clearly be a man in demand. Both the Auckland/Blues and Waikato/Chiefs outfits will chase his services.

But Deans has upped the rivalry between the New Zealand teams - who co-exist in a centrally run contract and selection system - by suggesting an agreement has already been reached.

Blues boss David White "categorically" denied that Gatland had been signed or promised a job, although he confirmed their interest. He denied Sloane had signalled he would step down this year or discussed the issue.

White said: "Warren has not signed any contract and if you read what he has said that is very clear.

"And we haven't got any vacancies. But Warren wants to live in Waikato or Auckland and is world class."

He added: "I've got more important things to worry about than those comments."

Rumours are flying around Hamilton that Gatland, who played 140 Waikato games, is headed to Auckland.

But Dawson said the NZRFU had a clear system of coaching appointments, using a panel that included NZRFU and independent members.

"The job has to be advertised ... it is a rigorous process, an excellent system that has produced very good decisions," said Dawson.

"I'd also be very surprised because there is already an incumbent at the Blues."

Deans could not be contacted as the Crusaders were travelling to Sydney to play the Waratahs tonight. A Crusaders spokeswoman said the interview had been conducted by a "very reliable" radio service.

* The Herald understands that John Mitchell will be interviewed for the Perth Super 14 coaching job in Sydney on February 24. Mitchell is among six candidates.