Former Australia rugby coach Bob Dwyer has joined Super 12 team New South Wales.

Dwyer led the national side to the 1991 World Cup and takes over in the new coaching role after Ian Kennedy was sacked last month after a disappointing Super 12 season following his year in charge.

The 60-year-old was in direct competition with former New Zealand coach Laurie Mains for the vacant position.

"I think perhaps NSW didn't achieve their potential last season for what reason the future may unfold," said Dwyer.

"I'm certainly not perturbed by that at all. I thought actually at times, NSW played some very good rugby and that's encouraging to me because I think if you can do something good once, you can do it 20 times.

"I think they're a team on the move, I think some of the young talent brought in this year is excellent, we're perhaps a little bit short on leadership from the senior players more than anything else and that needs to be brought home to them."

Dwyer had two terms as Australian coach from 1982-83 and between 1988-95.

He coached the Wallabies in 72 Tests, winning 45 and drawing two.

He also coached Racing Club in France before spells at English clubs Leicester and Bristol.