Former All Black Daryl Gibson will replace Michael Cheika as the New South Wales Waratahs head coach for the next three Super Rugby seasons, the club said on Thursday.
In his third year as the Waratahs' attack coach, Gibson will take over from Cheika next season when the Wallabies coach focuses solely on the national team.
Gibson, 40, who played 19 Tests for the All Blacks, spent three seasons as the Canterbury Crusaders' assistant coach and also held coaching roles with the Glasgow Warriors and New Zealand Maori.
Waratahs Rugby CEO Greg Harris said Gibson's appointment would ensure that the transition at the end of the season is a smooth one.
"Daryl has been an integral part of the creation of a culture which the club is now identified by, and his appointment will ensure that the players can build on the positive foundation which has been established by Michael Cheika, Harris said.
"Whilst this is Daryl's first head coaching appointment he has played under, and coached with, several highly credentialed coaches including Wayne Smith, Steve Hansen, Todd Blackadder and Robbie Deans.
"He brings an incredible wealth of football knowledge and experience to the position and is very much a values and culture driven coach - which is what the selection panel was also very impressed with."
Gibson said he was looking forward to building on the foundation at the Waratahs created under Cheika.
"I'm very proud to be appointed to this role, it has been a privilege to coach under Michael and help him to create the club culture and identity over the past few seasons,” Gibson said.
The Waratahs won their first Super Rugby title last season under Cheika and Gibson.
Source: AFP