Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Under pressure Warren Gatland confronts prospect of Wales sack

By PA
Warren Gatland, Head Coach of Wales, looks on prior to the Autumn Nations Series 2024 match between Wales and Fiji at the Principality Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Warren Gatland says he would probably head to the beach with a glass of wine “away from some of the pressure” if it was decided he should not continue in his role as Wales head coach.

ADVERTISEMENT

Wales have lost their last 10 Test matches and are without a Test win since the 2023 World Cup.

Defeat against in-form Autumn Nations Series opponents Australia on Sunday would inflict a record run of bad results on them, eclipsing the current sequence and that of 2002 and 2003 under Gatland’s fellow New Zealander Steve Hansen.

Life is not about to get any easier either, with Wales hosting world champions South Africa after Australia, before kicking off the Six Nations against France in Paris early next year.

Video Spacer

Karl Dickson explains how referees are refocusing on 50/50 kick contests

Referee Karl Dickson explains how World Rugby referees are now focusing on players giving access to a 50/50 contest under the high ball.

Video Spacer

Karl Dickson explains how referees are refocusing on 50/50 kick contests

Referee Karl Dickson explains how World Rugby referees are now focusing on players giving access to a 50/50 contest under the high ball.

There are mitigating factors, with players such as Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, Dan Biggar, George North, Ken Owens and Gareth Davies all retiring from international rugby during the past 18 months, while Louis Rees-Zammit went to the NFL and injuries have severely hampered the likes of Taulupe Faletau and Josh Adams.

Gatland has also capped more than 20 players since returning for a second stint in charge ahead of the 2023 Six Nations, but Test results still stand out like a sore thumb – played 22, won six, lost 16.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins
1
Draws
0
Wins
4
Average Points scored
28
32
First try wins
80%
Home team wins
60%

Asked if he felt there was confidence in his project from employers the Welsh Rugby Union, Gatland said: “I am probably not the person to ask in terms of those questions.

“I have been very clear that I am really comfortable with the decisions we’ve made.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We have tried to point out from the outset that we need to go through some pain. I didn’t think there would be this much pain, to be honest.

“If a decision is made in terms of what you are talking about, I am more than comfortable with that. I’ve been around the game for long enough.

“I will probably go back to the beach, have a glass of wine and enjoy myself away from some of the pressure!

“We have tried to be clear about building and developing this group of youngsters. We know it takes a bit of time. I am well aware you are not always given time.

ADVERTISEMENT

“It is about results. I have tried to not shy away from that. I understand that. Criticism is part of the job and the role.

“All we can do is keep working hard, as we have been doing as coaches and players. Hopefully, the tide turns pretty soon.

“If I look back at squads that I’ve been involved with in the past, you have had World Cups campaigns with teams. The progress we’ve made, having those three months together, and then the continuity you have for the next couple of seasons…

“We lost all that continuity after the (2023) World Cup, and we made the decision to invest in this group of younger players. It’s going to take time. Whether we get that, time will tell.

“The positive vibes I am getting back now, they (players) haven’t lost confidence.

“In terms of what they are saying, they are well aware they need to get across the line, and it is how they do that. Maybe the bounce of a ball, some decisions and a bit of luck would help, but we will keep fighting.”

Related

Gatland, meanwhile, has made four changes for the Wallabies encounter, with wing Mason Grady and scrum-half Tomos Williams both injured.

Williams suffered a shoulder injury during Sunday’s defeat to Fiji, and is replaced by Ellis Bevan, and Scarlets wing Tom Rogers takes over from Grady.

Elsewhere, Ospreys flanker Jac Morgan will make his first Test start in 13 months, having last featured in a Wales Test line-up against World Cup quarter-final opponents Argentina before knee and hamstring injuries sidelined him for last season’s Six Nations and summer tour to Australia.

Morgan replaces openside flanker Tommy Reffell, and James Botham also earns a back-row opportunity, wearing the number six shirt instead of Taine Plumtree.

Related

Louis Rees-Zammit joins Jim Hamilton for the latest episode of Walk the Talk to discuss his move to the NFL. Watch now on RugbyPass TV

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

2 Comments
O
OJohn 27 days ago

Sack the kiwi ! Almost everybody else has. Grow some cahunas Wales. Hire a Welsh coach. Restore some pride in your team and your country ffs.

M
MakeOllieMathisAnAB 27 days ago

In other words Gatland doesn’t care.

They should sack his entitled ass effective yesterday.

Loses 10 in a row and says that?

Wales need a committed, determined, passionate coach.

Not someone with a go-ahead-and-fire-me-I’ll-go-have-a-chilled-life-then.

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

N
Nickers 42 minutes ago
'Razor's conservatism is in danger of halting New Zealand's progress'

Razor seems totally at sea to me.


He squandered his first year when he could have been bringing in loads of new players at the expense of results. Instead he chased the win from week to week, ironically using the same players that have been underperforming and NOT winning for years to put in mediocre performances.


The new generation of players is here right now but Razor is clearly not ready for them. Lakai, Love, Proctor, Plummer etc... could all have 5 or so games under their belt. Instead they get 2 minutes at the end of the game to win a "cap" like this is still the 80s.


He had a license to be bold this year - an obligation after 4 years of conservatism under Fozzie. But in reality it wasn't until inuries forced his hand that any progress was made this season.


Worryingly, much like Fozzie, he seems unable to diagnose and fix what is not working on attack. He desperately needs some better assistants around him.


The comparison to SA is not really a fair one. Rassie is probably under the least pressure of anyone in all of World Rugby this year coming off back to back World Cups win. It's like the ABs in 2016 - everyone thought they would have a post world cup slump but it was the exact opposite. With no pressure and no fear they payed some of the most incredible rugby that has ever been played by the All Blacks, every new player was an instant super star and it seemed like nothing could go wrong. Much the same way 2017 hit the ABs like a ton of bricks I'm sure SA will endure something similar in 2025.

106 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Rugby's tallest player included in 31-man Emerging Scotland squad Rugby's tallest player included in 31-man Emerging Scotland squad
Search