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Wales boss Warren Gatland denies seeking to ‘protect my own backside’

By PA
Wales' coach Warren Gatland watches over his team before the rugby union tour match between Queensland Reds and Wales at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on July 19, 2024. (Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo by PATRICK HAMILTON/AFP /AFP via Getty Images)

Warren Gatland says he is not thinking about his own position ahead of Wales’ Autumn Nations Series Tests against Fiji, Australia and South Africa.

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The Wales head coach has been boosted by several senior internationals returning to Test action – such as Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams, Will Rowlands and Adam Beard – for a campaign that starts on November 10 when Fiji arrive in Cardiff.

But he has again not been afraid to blood newcomers, with uncapped Scarlets wing Blair Murray and Gloucester lock Freddie Thomas handed first senior call-ups.

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Sixteen of a 35-strong squad have single-figure caps, and it remains about the bigger picture on a long road towards the 2027 World Cup in Australia as Wales target a first Test win since rugby union’s last global showpiece a year ago.

“Results are important, but I’ve tried to be incredibly honest. I am not here thinking about my own position or how I protect my own backside,” Gatland said.

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08:40
10 Nov 24
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“It is about making the right decisions for Wales. We lost a huge amount of experience after the (2023) World Cup. We knew we were going to go through some pain.

“It’s how we do that and collectively make the right decisions to take the team forward. Hopefully, we build a team that has some sustainability and success in the next few years.

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“I understand short-term is also important. There is no hiding from it, the expectations and scrutiny in international rugby.

“That comes with the territory. I am comfortable with that – I don’t have an issue with it. It’s about putting your hand on your heart and saying you honestly believe you are making the best decisions for Wales moving forward.

“I am excited by the way the squad is looking. We are trying to develop some depth and competition within the squad, and I think we are starting to see that now.

Jac Morgan
Wales’s Jac Morgan during the pre match warm up during the Summer International match between Wales and South Africa at Principality Stadium on August 19, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Ian Cook – CameraSport via Getty Images)
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“I am really excited by the talent within the squad. Hopefully, some of that talent and experience coming back gives more confidence and self-belief going out there.”

New Zealand-born Murray – who qualifies for Wales via his mother – and former England Under-20 forward Thomas, whose grandparents are Welsh, have both made the squad.

Dragons scrum-half Rhodri Williams, who has not played for Wales since 2014, is recalled along with the likes of Leicester prop Nicky Smith, Gloucester’s Anscombe and Max Llewellyn, plus Scarlets back Tom Rogers.

Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake, meanwhile, retains the captaincy after leading Wales on tour to Australia this summer.

There are five Gloucester players in the squad, but injury absentees include the likes of Josh Adams, Liam Williams, Dafydd Jenkins, Elliot Dee and Taulupe Faletau.

Wales
Wales’ full back Liam Williams (L) and Wales’ flanker Aaron Wainwright take part in a training session at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on October 22, 2019, ahead of their Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa. (Photo by Odd Andersen / AFP) (Photo by ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Four of the Gloucester contingent are backs, and their selection comes with the club having collected more try-scoring bonus points than any other team in the Gallagher Premiership this season.

Gatland added: “We probably need to look at the balance of our attacking game with being smart on how we play.

“Listening to George Skivington (Gloucester rugby director) on the weekend having watched that game (Gloucester lost 29-26 to Leicester), he is conscious of that.

“They have scored a lot of points, but conceded a lot as well. He is conscious of making sure they get their game-management right in terms of getting that balance.

“We’ve got to find that balance between having the confidence to play and be expansive, but also be smart and strong defensively.

“International rugby is a lot different to club rugby. It is more structured and you are in that arm-wrestle. There is more kicking, waiting for those opportunities that don’t come around much.

“But it is also making sure the messaging is clear that when there are opportunities to shift the ball and move it, we have the confidence to do that.”

Backs – G Anscombe (Gloucester), E Bevan (Cardiff), S Costelow (Scarlets), R Dyer (Dragons), M Grady (Cardiff), J Hathaway (Gloucester), E James (Scarlets), M Llewellyn (Gloucester), B Murray (Scarlets), T Rogers (Scarlets), B Thomas (Cardiff), N Tompkins (Saracens), O Watkin (Ospreys), R Williams (Dragons), T Williams (Gloucester), C Winnett (Cardiff).

Forwards – K Assiratti (Cardiff), A Beard (Ospreys), J Botham (Cardiff), B Carter (Dragons), R Elias (Scarlets), A Griffin (Bath), D Lake (Ospreys, captain), E Lloyd (Cardiff), K Mathias (Scarlets), J Morgan (Ospreys), T Plumtree (Scarlets), T Reffell (Leicester), W Rowlands (Racing 92), N Smith (Leicester), G Thomas (Ospreys), F Thomas (Gloucester), H Thomas (Scarlets), C Tshiunza (Exeter), A Wainwright (Dragons).

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Bull Shark 17 days ago

I’m not a fan of Gatland. I think Wales could get a more dynamic coach. But he is at least taking risks with a young/inexperienced side much like Schmidt and Australia. This could pay off for both teams in the future but they’re going to take loses until it does.

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RedWarrior 54 minutes ago
'Sorry Ireland, we didn't need to get motivated playing you': All Blacks great

From Peter O’Mahony’s comments to Sam Cane to Reiko Ioane’s message to Johnny Sexton last year, this is now a Test with a lot of “spice”, to which Brooke believes “if you’re going to give it out, you’ve got to take it as well.”


I think "Arrogance" is the word here.

Sledging during the match is not the same as abusing players and spectators after the final whistle.

As well as that being a nastily arrogant act, NZs inability to admit when they get things wrong is a further symptom of entitlement and arrogance.

Mocking beaten players and spectators is wrong: even when the "Great All Blacks" no ifs, no buts.

Remember NZ were too big to have a beer with a team they didn't rate, never mind swap a jersey. Perhaps time these "Humble Heroes" were brought down to earth a bit.

A truly global game like soccer, where everybody plays, and the winners are truly world class: they shake hands, they swap jerseys, they respect opponents.

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