The former Auckland, All Black and Manu Samoa representative Pat Lam has been named coach of the Auckland NPC team for the next two seasons.
Lam was assistant coach of the Scotland national side.
Auckland Rugby Chief Executive David White says Lam's appointment is exciting for the team.
He says Lam brings an outstanding technical and tactical appreciation of the game, and is well repsected in the the northern hemisphere as both a coach and player.
Lam played five seasons for the Auckland NPC team from 1990 until 1994.
He was also named European player of the year in 2000.