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Six Nations 2019: Wales with much to play for in Gatland's long goodbye
Wales’ longest-serving and most successful coach is in the home straight of his time in the job.
After 12 years, Warren Gatland will stand down after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Gatland’s reign has seen Wales win two Grand Slams and reach the semi-finals of the World Cup, while the Kiwi has also led the British and Irish Lions on two tours.
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When Wales kick off the Six Nations in Paris on February 1, Gatland begins a long goodbye that will finish in Japan, when he will hand over to successor Wayne Pivac.
We pick out some of the highlights of Gatland’s time in charge and assess his chances of finishing with a flourish.
GRAND SLAM WINNERS
Wales had ended their long wait for a Grand Slam three years prior to Gatland’s first Six Nations in the job, winning the championship in 2005 to complete a clean sweep for the first time since 1978. But it did not take Gatland long to repeat that feat after he was brought in to replace Gareth Jenkins, who had been dismissed after Wales made a pool-stage exit at the 2007 World Cup. It was a success built on defence, with Wales conceding only two tries over the course of the championship, but one that reaped the benefits of the attacking talents of players like Shane Williams. A first Twickenham win over England since 1988 and a Triple Crown-clinching win in Dublin helped Wales on their way to a Grand Slam wrapped up against France in Cardiff.
WORLD CUP SEMI-FINALS AND ANOTHER CLEAN SWEEP
Given his predecessor’s failure at the previous tournament, Gatland did not have a particularly high marker to beat when he took his players home to New Zealand in 2011. However, it is safe to say Wales exceeded expectations as they came agonisingly close to reaching a World Cup final for the first time. Amid rising optimism, their bid for glory ended in painful fashion. After losing skipper Sam Warburton to a controversial red card in the 19th minute of a semi-final against France, Wales fought doggedly to stay in the game, only to be beaten 9-8. It was France’s turn to be on the receiving end of a one-point defeat as New Zealand won the trophy, before Wales emphatically underlined their credentials as the pick of the northern hemisphere sides by securing another Grand Slam in the 2012 Six Nations.
LIONS LEADER
Gatland’s achievements with Wales have been impressive, but he also made a huge impact in two tours as the Lions coach. A host of his Wales team played starring roles in 2013 as the Lions beat Australia 2-1 and Gatland was then at the helm again for the ultimate test in 2017 – a tour of his homeland. The Lions lost two of their tour matches before the opening Test and were then beaten 30-15 in their first meeting with New Zealand. However, a stirring fightback followed, with the tourists edging the second Test 24-21 and then holding the All Blacks to the most dramatic of draws as the series reached a remarkable conclusion at Auckland’s Eden Park. Gatland now appears the leading candidate to lead the Lions for a third time in 2021 when they visit South Africa.
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A fitting finale to an amazing Test series @AllBlacks.
A huge thanks to all fans at home & abroad for your incredible support #LionsNZ2017 pic.twitter.com/kjKrTluu9y
— British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 8, 2017
A TEAM IN FORM
Only 2018 Grand Slam winners Ireland boasted a better record than Wales last year among northern hemisphere teams. Gatland’s men won 10 out of 12 Tests, including a hugely encouraging clean sweep of their November internationals. Victories over Scotland, Australia and South Africa – together with a thrashing of Tonga – extended Wales’ winning streak to nine Tests, two short of their record run.
THE PERFECT FINALE?
Wales face a stern test at the start of their Six Nations campaign, with a visit to France representing the first of three away fixtures in the championship. Intriguingly, their toughest match on paper comes on the final weekend as they host reigning champions Ireland. Given recent form, it is not unfeasible that both teams reach that contest unbeaten. Ireland are the clear favourites for the Six Nations and currently represent the leading European candidate for World Cup glory. However, Wales – third in the world rankings behind New Zealand and Joe Schmidt’s men – will surely be a force to be reckoned with if they make it to Japan with most of their leading players available. Gatland could yet enjoy a dream send-off to his distinguished reign.
? ?? #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/8TmfF2Ayhz
— Welsh Rugby Union ? (@WelshRugbyUnion) January 30, 2019
Comments on RugbyPass
Leinster are going to win the world cup.
13 Go to commentsSuper Rugby desperately needs to lose at least 2, but up to 4 teams. Rebels quietly going bankrupt would have made that a bit easier. Teams like the Rebels and Force serve only to weaken Australian Rugby and Super Rugby more widely. In 13 years in the comp the Rebels are yet to win more games than they lose in a season, have never finished in the top half of the competition, and have come dead last a number of times. The Western Force, barring a brief stint of mediocrity under John Mitchell from 2007-2009 have been even worse. Sadly it’s hard to see a future for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Likewise I think the writing is on the wall for the Highlanders, it’s hard to see how NZ rugby can continue to support 5 SR teams, and population distribution suggests one team in the south island would make the most sense.
42 Go to commentsNice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
42 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
6 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
42 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
6 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
6 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
13 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
6 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
42 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
13 Go to commentsWowee!
13 Go to comments