The 'jealousy' factor driving Wales in Grand Slam decider
Warren Gatland readily accepts there is “added spice” when Wales play Ireland as he looks to sign off in the Six Nations with a title and Grand Slam.
Both teams, who meet in Cardiff on Saturday, are chasing silverware – along with England – as this season’s tournament builds towards a thrilling conclusion.
But Wales have control, knowing that victory over Ireland would secure a third Grand Slam of Gatland’s reign and see them crowned champions for the first time since 2013.
It will be former Ireland boss Gatland’s final Six Nations Test as Wales head coach, and he is relishing the high-octane occasion that will inevitably unfold.
“I think the added spice is that with the PRO14, the players know each other,” Gatland said.
“We respect them hugely for what they have achieved. They are number two in the world, and their provinces have had a lot of success in the PRO14 and in Europe, and sometimes it can breed a jealousy.
“You respect them, but you are desperate to want to beat them. That sometimes creates the edge. A lot of it stems from that.
“They have been incredibly successful. I take my hat off to their provincial rugby and what they have achieved in Europe, the PRO14 and what the national team has done. We have got to strive to do that.
“For our group of players I know they get incredibly motivated to play against Ireland, as they want to beat them because a lot of them have been on the losing end on a number of occasions, particularly to their provincial teams.”
Wales’ tense 18-11 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield has set up their latest Grand Slam tilt, and Gatland will become the first coach in Five or Six Nations history to mastermind a clean sweep three times if his players pull it off.
“If we do that it would be unbelievable,” Gatland added.
“I have had ten Six Nations, and when I look back I am proud of what we have achieved in terms of consistency in the Six Nations.
“We have had a few seconds, a couple of Grand Slams, a Championship as well, but our win record has been excellent – particularly against those big teams.
“We want to finish it off. When someone presents you with an opportunity to win a Grand Slam, you want to take it with both hands.”
Wing George North is set to be among three survivors from Wales’ starting XV that clinched the 2012 Grand Slam by beating France, joining captain Alun Wyn Jones and centre Jonathan Davies.
“Sometimes, winning is winning, regardless of how it looks,” said North, reflecting on the Scotland success.
“There is a good belief in the squad, a good vibe. We can go toe-to-toe and we can go through the ugly parts and dog games out when we need to.
“There is plenty to work on from our point of view – too many handling errors, too many turnovers. We’ve got a big week of preparation to put it right.
“Obviously, it (title and Grand Slam) would be a wicked way to finish this tournament, but I am sure the boss man ‘Gats’ will have a few things to sort out this week with us and make sure we are flying on Saturday.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
3 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
3 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
3 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to comments