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Gatland's fury over England's antics following Wales' 2019 Six Nations win
Warren Gatland has revealed his fury over post-match antics by England following Wales’ Six Nations win last February.
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The now former Welsh coach, who stepped away from the job at the end of the recent World Cup following a twelve-year tenure, has written a new autobiography – Pride and Passion – that is being released this week.
In it he has slammed the behaviour of Eddie Jones’ beaten English following their 21-13 Principality Stadium loss nine months ago.
It is alleged that Jones’ squad attempted to make a quick getaway from the scene of their defeat rather than fulfil commercial obligations.
It’s also claimed that England had the TV screens switched off at the post-match players’ event because they had no appetite to watch a re-run of the match they had just been beaten in.
(Continue reading below…)
Gatland only learned much later from WRU chairman Gareth Davies that England had wanted the TV screens blanked and he was angered by the English attitude.
Writing in the book, Gatland said: “If I’d known it at the time, I would have hit the roof. I’d had my nose rubbed in it on more than once occasion up the road in London.
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“Here in Cardiff, such behaviour was suddenly deemed improper. What a joke. When you lose in rugby, you should lose well.”
The Wales v England row inside the Principality Stadium that saw fuming Warren Gatland brand them 'a joke' https://t.co/BjqwaSv5sQ
— WalesOnline Rugby (@WalesRugby) November 13, 2019
The book review, carried on wales.online.co.uk, also referred to an incident that took place the day before Wales took on England at the 2015 World Cup.
England players Billy and Mako Vunipola had dropped by the Welsh team hotel to have a coffee with their cousin Taulupe Faletau.
Shaun Edwards' peaked cap can now officially become a beret as the worst kept secret in rugby has been confirmed… he will be working with France after leaving Wales
https://t.co/EXMVk81TTC— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 13, 2019
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“I butted in to tell Taulupe he’d have been free to pop over to the England base in nearby Bagshot,” said Gatland, taking up the story in his book.
“At which point Mako piped up: ‘Do you think he’d have been allowed in, the way things are with us right now? There’s no fun or smiling over there’.”
WATCH: Warren Gatland’s reason for saying no to the All Blacks job
Comments on RugbyPass
Sly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to comments