AUCKLAND (AFP) - Former All Black Warren Gatland has been appointed as the new Wales coach, his former club Waikato announced Friday.

The appointment of the 44-year-old is set to be formally announced by the Welsh Rugby Union at a news conference at 1230GMT.

The former Ireland and Wasps coach, who was in charge of the Waikato NPC side and assistant at the Waikato Chiefs, will take up his new role from December 1.

"While it was a hard decision to make to leave, it is the ultimate dream for me to coach at this level again," Gatland told the Waikato website.

"I've been given the opportunity to coach at the highest level. I want to thank Waikato for the support they have given me during this time of transition."

The WRU had been searching for a new coach since Gareth Jenkins was sacked after Wales' failure to reach the knock-out phase of the recent rugby World Cup.

Gatland, who played for the All Blacks 17 times between 1988 and 1991, had talks with Welsh officials in New Zealand last month and arrived in Cardiff at the weekend.