1
Warren Gatland is taking a battering on social media
The rugby world had grand plans for Chiefs head coach Warren Gatland over the next four years, but few would have accounted for the roadblock he has hit over the past two months. Having become the two-time Super Rugby winners’ head coach at the beginning of the year following 11 years with Wales, the blueprint seemed to be that he would embark on his third tour with the British and Irish Lions in 2021, before ascending to take charge of the All Blacks after that.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, with an unprecedented losing streak and zero wins from their opening six matches in Super Rugby Aotearoa, new questions are being asked about Gatland and plans may be changing.
Recently crowned the best coach in the world by Rugby World, Gatland would have known the burgeoning expectation that awaited him upon his return to Hamilton. Indeed, his tenure started well, with the Chiefs winning four of their opening six matches of the regular Super Rugby season.
Unfortunately, a slight slump during the enforced break from the COVID-19 pandemic meant his side have been scrambling for confidence in a competition where there are no easy games.
In light of this poor run, fans have not held back on social media, with many feeling his northern hemisphere style is not suited in Super Rugby. That had long been the fear for some fans, and there is no doubt that many will feel vindicated by this barren spell Gatland’s side are enduring.
While the bulk of his silverware throughout his career has been in the northern hemisphere, it must be noted that he did with the Air New Zealand Cup with Waikato in 2006. On top of that, this season has at times been a masterclass by the Chiefs in blowing leads.
Gatland’s men could not hold onto a 17-14 second-half advantage at the weekend against the Blues, eventually losing 21-14. That was eclipsed by the 79th minute drop-goal landed by his very own son, Bryn, against the Highlanders in round one. Those two losses pale into insignificance compared to squandering a 24-point lead against the same team in round six.
ADVERTISEMENT
So while only a few marginal changes in each match could have provided a completely different complexion to the season for the Chiefs, supporters are growing increasingly impatient.
When are we having this chat about Warren Gatland?
— Gooseberry (@ClixWell) July 26, 2020
Which team will Gatland coach after the Lions' Tour next year and why do you think it will be Bay of Plenty under 19?
— Hugo (@HugoVHeerden) July 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/Seb_Parker/status/1287234039808528387?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Crazy how the Chiefs are struggling to score tries even with McKenzie and co in the team.. Gatland's Northern Hemisphere effect? https://t.co/pHqHJyTDIS
— Reza (@Reza_Gasant) July 5, 2020
Gatland taking time to adapt to the south. A game plan over three Tests against a SH nation is very different to having a style of play that is successful week in an week out
— Matt (@Matt_W87) July 26, 2020
Gatland can take his Welsh style all the way back up his valley I reckon.
Clearly he’s coached the Chiefs running play out of them and the defence is a joke.
Thank fuck he won’t get the All Blacks job. Not that it matters in the ongoing Covid world.
— Grand Poobah (@sdn79nz) July 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/GunSlin14083067/status/1284776443168210950?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
ADVERTISEMENT
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe 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?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 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
4 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 comments