Andrew Hore (left) will work with New Zealand's 14 rugby academies

Hore, 33, is credited with raising the fitness of the Wales players to a new level in his three years with the side.

But he has been tempted back down under by the offer of working with New Zealand's 14 rugby academies.

"It's been a hard decision. With a new family, my wife and I feel this is the right time for us to move," Hore said.

"I felt very much that I wanted to move away from a purely hands-on conditioning position into more of a high-performance management role.

"That is my passion and that is where I want to go with my career. In my new role, I will have responsibility for player development."

Welsh Rugby Union general manager Steve Lewis said the hunt for Hore's successor was already well advanced.

"We have been searching throughout the rugby world for a suitable replacement for Andrew and we are close to securing a first-class candidate, who we feel will fit in well with the current Welsh management team," Lewis said.

Hore will remain in Wales for the next few months until his replacement is ready to take over.