Gatland guided an injury-ravaged Wales to the quarter-finals at this year’s World Cup and has led the team to Grand Slam success in 2008 and 2012.
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Invited to say a few words to the throng gathered outside New Zealand’s parliament, the Prince, standing beside the victorious All Blacks, prompted laughter and cheers after joking: “Ladies and Gentlemen, we just travelled 11,683 miles to come here to congratulate the best rugby team in the world”.
The 52-year-old says he hopes he can nail down a Super Rugby contract after 12 years in charge of the Welsh, a tenure which is the longest by any coach.
“I think coaches have a shelf life and he’s done remarkably well which has allowed him to stay in the job so long”. “Hopefully I’ve got plenty more years left coaching”.
“I’m here until 2019 and the plan for me then is definitely to come home for a period”, he told Radio Sport.
He also masterminded a British and Irish Lions series win against Australia in 2013 and previously coached Ireland and London Wasps.
“I don’t see how you can win it. You are playing five Super Rugby sides, New Zealand Maori, three Tests and another game (against a Provincial Union XV), all in a five-week period, it’s so tough”.
“Having been involved in South Africa and leading the Lions in Australia in 2013…it was a great experience”.
“If I got offered the opportunity it’s probably something I could not turn down”.
“There’s Vern Cotter with Scotland as well so there are definitely other people in line for the Lions”.
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At an earlier point of the New Zealand tour, Charles did admit that he was glad the All Blacks one – a demonstration of their “sporting prowess”.
