Greg Aldous is the new Counties Manukau Steelers head coach for the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup campaign.

He takes over from Kevin Putt who resigned after failing to win a single ANZC match with a side which finished at the bottom of the Air New Zealand Cup ladder.

Aldous has been involved in coaching for 12 years, ranging from Under 19 to Premier Grade before moving into representative rugby coaching.

He coached the Waitemata Senior side and in 2003 won Auckland Rugby's Gallaher Shield. That led him to being appointed as Auckland Colts coach from 2004 to 2006 before he returned south in 2007 to assist the successful Counties Manukau Development team.

"I can see that Counties Manukau rugby has an abundance of potential, both in player ability and coaching opportunities," Aldous said.

"This, along with the rapid growth of the region and the union, make the future very exciting for Counties Manukau rugby".

Counties chief executive Nick Sheppard said: "Greg is familiar with our organisation having already been a part of the Counties Manukau system for the past 12 months.

"We know he has strong leadership skills, is strong both technically and tactically, and has wide experience in head coach roles across a range of rugby levels."

Aldous will start his new position on December 10.