'We spoke about the potential and I couldn't turn my back on the challenge'
Warren Gatland has been named as head coach of the British and Irish Lions for a third consecutive time on Wednesday. Gatland, who is stepping down from his role as Wales boss after this year’s World Cup, will lead the Lions on their 2021 tour to South Africa.
The 55-year-old Kiwi was in charge for the previous two Lions trips. He oversaw victory in Australia in 2013 and a drawn series in New Zealand two years ago. Another tour will now see him complete the set of Lions destinations in the top job, although he was also involved in the last series in South Africa, as forwards coach, in 2009. Gatland’s latest appointment was confirmed at a press conference in London.
“I’m hugely honoured and delighted to lead the Lions again,” said Gatland. “It is exciting and a great challenge to coach the best players from the four Home Nations. The Lions rightly have a truly special place in the game and I jumped at the chance to be involved again when I was approached about the role.
“South Africa is a special place to play rugby. They have some of the most iconic stadiums in the world which will be packed full of passionate fans, and the Springboks have shown in recent times that they are back to being one of the dominant forces in the game.
“Having toured there in 2009 I know the scale of the task ahead of us – playing in South Africa presents a number of unique challenges such as playing at altitude, while the Boks will always be physical, aggressive and highly motivated.
It’s Official!
Warren Gatland has been named The British & Irish Lions Head Coach for the 2021 Tour to South Africa pic.twitter.com/T6ascoiDMA
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 12, 2019
“History tells you it’s a tough place to tour, but I am 100 per cent confident that we can go there and win. I would not be here if I thought differently.
“I’m delighted to now have everything in place to begin full-time in August 2020 as that gives me the best possible chance to plan for South Africa, but for the time being my focus is entirely on the Rugby World Cup and delivering a successful campaign for Wales.”
Gatland’s services have been in high demand after another successful season with Wales. Earlier this year the former Ireland coach masterminded his third Grand Slam and fourth Six Nations Championship title since taking up the Welsh reins in 2007.
The Welsh are also on a record-breaking run of 14 successive victories as they embark on preparations for the World Cup finals in Japan.
It was reported last month that a verbal agreement with Gatland had been agreed by the Lions, who now have 2003 England World Cup winner Jason Leonard working as their chairman.
At one point Gatland had been favourite to succeed Eddie Jones as England coach, but this appointment will now bring an end to any such speculation. Jones is contracted with England until 2021 but with a break clause that can be activated depending on performance at the World Cup.
South Africa awaits…
Time for every Lions fan to get excited! pic.twitter.com/IsT6zVfdHd
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 12, 2019
Gatland was also linked with taking over the France national team and guide them at the 2023 World Cup. However, a referendum of the French grassroots clubs about the appointment of a non-France resulted in them saying no to outside influence and the FFR instead appointed Fabien Galthie.
“We’re delighted to have got our man. Warren is a world-class coach, boasts a proven track record and knows the Lions better than anyone else currently coaching in world rugby, so naturally he was our first-choice candidate from the start of the process,” said Lions managing director Ben Calveley.
“This was a unanimous decision from the Lions board and it was important that we moved swiftly and proactively to secure Warren’s signature.
“Appointing him two years ahead of time ensures Warren can also be involved in planning the logistics and scheduling elements of the tour. I’m looking forward to working alongside him to give the Lions the best chance of success in South Africa.
“The supporters are central to what make the Lions special, and with the world’s finest coach at the helm, excitement will grow even further.”
Gatland revealed at the conference he “couldn’t turn his back” on the challenge and aims to complete some unfinished business in South Africa. “I love the Lions as a concept,” he said.
LIVE: Watch the Head Coach Announcement for the 2021 Tour against the @Springboks. https://t.co/lUx0RwCb0i
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 12, 2019
“There were parts of the New Zealand tour that were incredibly challenging. Any Lions tour is probably the hardest thing you will ever do as a coach in terms of preparation and scrutiny as a coach. But one thing of reflecting back was the hospitality we had and the atmosphere of the games was incredible.
“Being a part of the Lions is an opportunity to go to South Africa and finish some unfinished business. We spoke about the potential and I couldn’t turn my back on the challenge.”
The New Zealander added that this will be his last tour as Lions head coach. When asked if it would be his final one, he said: “I think so, yeah.”
Gatland will also be involved in the planning of the trip. He said: “I’m incredibly excited about this appointment and it will give me a great opportunity to be involved in the planning and scheduling of this tour.
“The planning and scheduling hasn’t been finalised yet and negotiations are under way with how much time we’ll have together before we go away as a group on the tour. It’s a tough place to tour but I’m excited about the challenges.”
– Press Association
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Comments on RugbyPass
Except for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
33 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
33 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
33 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
33 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
33 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
33 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
33 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to comments