The 48-year-old was cleaning windows at his family house on Waihi Beach when he fell around 10 feet on to concrete, taking the full impact on his heels.

He suffered multiple fractures to the right calcaneus, meaning surgery was required to reconstruct the heel, and also a fracture to the left calcaneus.

Gatland is not expected to be hampered in his continuing preparations for Wales' matches in June, although the Welsh Rugby Union have put plans in place for some coaching to be managed internally by Gatland's assistants.

Assistant coach Rob Howley will oversee day-to-day management of the staff in Wales, while Gatland will continue to receive information primarily from Howley and the rest of his support staff, Robin McBryde, Shaun Edwards and Neil Jenkins.

Caretaker cover

WRU chief executive Roger Lewis has approved the plan for temporary injury cover. He has also indicated that although there is no current requirement for a caretaker head coach, he and Gatland had already agreed to recommend to the Board that Howley would fill the role.

"We all wish Warren a speedy recovery from the injuries he has suffered in this extremely unfortunate accident," Lewis said.

"Knowing Warren as I do I can reassure the Welsh rugby public that he has diligently put the people and processes in place to ensure he stays closely linked to what is happening in the game back here in Wales.

"I have spoken to Warren on a number of occasions since his fall and have told him he will lead the tour to Australia unless anything unforeseen happens in the prognosis for recovery we are working to."