Former Wallabies boss Robbie Deans will become the head coach of Japan's national champions Panasonic Wild Knights on May 1.
Deans, who has also managed the Christchurch-based Crusaders and served as an All Blacks assistant coach, will take over from Norifumi Nakajima, who is transferring to another part of the giant electronics firm.
Nakajima spent three seasons in charge at Panasonic, leading the club to the double honour in his final season.
Deans, 54, parted company with the Australian Rugby Union after the Wallabies lost the British and Irish Lions test series 2-1 last June.
He has maintained a good relationship with Panasonic as an informal adviser to them for nearly 10 years, the club's spokesman Seigo Ikeda said on Tuesday.
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The terms of Deans' contract have not been made known.
"I am very glad that I can continue the relationship this way," he said in a Japanese-language statement.
"I have enjoyed building a strong team with Panasonic players, staff and officials and I enjoyed watching Panasonic play," he said.
"I am looking forward to making the team better still in this fine environment this season," Deans said.
"We want to move further ahead."
Deans coached the Wallabies for six years from 2008, winning 43 times, losing 29 and drawing twice. Australia finished third in the 2011 rugby World Cup.
As a player, he represented Canterbury and played 19 matches for the All Blacks, including five Tests.
