The very name of the man appointed to the latest major coaching post in Scottish rugby was a gift to critics of Murrayfield's enthusiasm for antipodean know-how.

Those with more valid concerns about the danger of

Glasgow being neglected while the traditional heartlands of the Borders and Edinburgh are concentrated upon at headquarters will, however, be reassured by the appointments of Kiwi

Searancke as the professional team's new head coach and Steve Anderson as the backs coach.

The pair, both of whom say they are seeking new challenges, come with fine track records in coaching and should complement one another.

Searancke has a track record of working both with youngsters and leading senior players and, speaking yesterday from the Pacific Island of Vanuatu came across as a typically straightforward New Zealander.

''I am a rugby coach by career and was in the New Zealand system but I had to decide if I didn't make a Super 12 appointment whether I was going to give it away or look for ways to further my career,'' he said. ''I opted to open myself up to the world and see what opportunities

were there.

''From a personal point of view, I see this as a major step forward because, being appointed to Glasgow, a European Cup side with 10 or 12 internationalists in the squad, is the equivalent of a Super 12 appointment.''

Searancke and Anderson will now form an antipodean

triumvirate at Hughenden, joining current forwards coach

Gordon Macpherson

He noted, too, that the likes of Tony Gilbert and Wayne Smith, the former All Black coaching team now at the Borders and Northampton respectively, are ambitious, serious coaches who would not have moved to Europe unless they felt they were still furthering their careers so drew inspiration from that.

Searancke was in Scotland last year coaching the New Zealand under-19 side when he watched Glasgow during their Celtic League campaign when they were at their best and was impressed by their approach.

Yet, he will come in knowing relatively little about the squad which, as his new assistant

pointed out, gives every player

an even chance of impressing.

''We are coming in cold but David Jordan [Glasgow's chief executive] and Richie Dixon [the former head coach who remains team manager] wanted it that way because it means we are not coming in with preconceived ideas,'' said Anderson.

As a significantly younger man, yet having packed in 13 years' coaching experience mostly in rugby league, Anderson's is arguably the more exciting appointment, as he should bring fresh cross-code ideas and he readily admits to having reached the stage of feeling there was little more to be achieved in the 13 man game.

''This was a very hard decision because I could have gone home and taken up head coaching appointments there but this is a whole new challenge,'' he explained. ''I had several opportunities but, once I went up to Glasgow and they showed

me their vision, I was very

keen on it.

''Development is a big part of my background and we are coming in here at what is still very much an embryonic stage.

''I have been in that situation with Perth Reds and with Melbourne Storm where we went from starting with nothing to winning the National Premiership in two years with a very young side.''

Inevitably, there will be complaints about Scotland looking towards the antipodes again.

Glasgow themselves have had mixed success with that approach, Kevin Greene having helped them become the only Scottish side ever to reach Europe's knockout stages in 1997, whereas his successor and fellow New Zealander, Keith Robertson, struggled to cope with the task of merging Glasgow and Caledonian Reds into one team.

Jim Telfer, the national director of rugby, acknowledged that but repeated his point that domestic coaches need to find ways of adding to their experience to bridge the gap between amateur club rugby and the professional game.

Along with Ian McGeechan, the national coach, and Richie Dixon, now concentrating on coaching development, he has made no secret of his desire to get young coaches, in particular the Boroughmuir pair, Sean Lineen and Iain Paxton, involved in professional coaching. ''We might look to put development coaches in with the professional coaches in a shadow role,'' he said.

Title head coach

Age 50

Nationality See forename

Show us your badges Former Waikato prop who comes highly recommended by Tony Gilbert, the new Borders head coach and former All Blacks assistant coach.

Coached the Waikato provincial team for the last three years during which they defended the prestigious Ranfurly Shield challenge trophy on 21 occasions and also reached the semi-finals of the National Provincial Championship.

Has also been a national under-21 selector and coached the NZ Nike youth team which toured Scotland last season.

Title backs coach

Age 39

Nationality Australian

Show us your badges Played for Brisbane Souths alongside Mal Meninga, one of Australia's greatest ever rugby league players, before knee and hamstring injuries ended career 13 years ago. Moved quickly into coaching and was assistant coach of the Kangaroos side which won the Trans-Tasman Series with New Zealand in 1999 then the World Cup in 2000. Also assistant coach of Melbourne Storm who won the Australian national title in 1998 and beat St Helens in World Club Championship.

Coached in the UK with Warrington Wolves in Super League and gained union experience as backline and defence consultant with London Irish over the past season, and with the Pretoria club when they won South Africa's Currie Cup.