Gatland lobs post-match grenade at Eddie's England
Wales boss Warren Gatland questioned England’s ability to win the games that matter after his team posted a stunning 21-13 victory over this season’s Guinness Six Nations title favourites.
Gatland’s men turned a gripping Principality Stadium contest on its head by scoring 18 second-half points, highlighted by tries from lock Cory Hill and wing Josh Adams.
It sent Wales top of the table in Gatland’s final Six Nations campaign at the helm, wrecked England’s Grand Slam hopes and left the hosts two wins away from achieving a third clean sweep since the 55-year-old took charge 11 years ago.
England led 10-3 at the break, but Wales fought back to claim a first Six Nations triumph against England since 2013 and record a 12th successive victory, breaking their record that had stood since 1910.
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“England were outstanding in the first two games,” Gatland said.
“I look back on England in the last few years. When it’s really mattered, I’ve questioned whether they can win these big games.
“We’ve had a record of being pretty good in them. We’re in a good position because you guys (media) were all talking England up, saying there was going to be 15 points in it.
“We knew exactly where we were, and I said to the players they (England) had no idea what animal was turning up this week, but we did.
“It was probably one of the best weeks that I’ve had with the team. I’ve been involved with a lot of teams, and yesterday’s captain’s run was as good as I’ve ever seen.”
Gatland called England prop Kyle Sinckler an emotional “timebomb” during the build-up, and the Harlequins forward conceded two penalties, that Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe kicked, before being substituted.
“I thought he carried well, defended well, the set-piece was good,” Gatland added.
“He’s a fantastic rugby player, but he does have a few demons to deal with.”
Eddie Jones responded to that statement by making an impassioned defence of the Harlequins prop, who made 18 tackles during the game.
“I didn’t know Warren had a degree in clinical psychology, so let me know and I might go and see him as well,” Jones said.
“We just felt it was the opportune time to make a change. Every time you make a change there’s a number of factors involved. He was starting to get a little bit tired.
“I know you guys want to single him out because Warren said what he said, but don’t be unfair to him. He’s a young player on the way up. Look after him a bit.”
After destructive wins against Ireland and France, England were brought down to earth in Cardiff.
“The world hasn’t ended. I guarantee you the world’s still out there and we’ll learn from this,” Jones said.
“We got beaten in a certain few areas and we’ll improve in those areas and we’ll be ready to go when we play next time.
“It was a nip and tuck sort of a game, fine margins, you make one mistake it cost us a try that ultimately cost us the game.
“They beat us in the air, the penalty count was lopsided and when you are getting beaten in those two areas when it’s a tight game, you are going to struggle to get the result you want.
“Full credit to Wales, they played very well and deserved to win today.”
Courtney Lawes has a calf injury and faces a scan while Jonny May must undergo the return to play protocols for concussion.
Wales move on to Edinburgh for an appointment with Scotland in two weeks. Victory at Murrayfield and then against Ireland in Cardiff seven days later would secure a Grand Slam.
Gatland said: “We will enjoy tonight and then we will start thinking about Scotland and the challenge they pose. They have been making Murrayfield a bit of a fortress.
“We’ve got to make sure we are not complacent and that we don’t drop our level. There is a huge amount at stake.”
Press Association Sport
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments