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Warren Gatland's hilarious alternative to bronze play-off match against All Blacks
It’s not only the All Blacks who are struggling to come to grips with the idea of signing off on a failed World Cup campaign with a bronze medal play-off.
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Outgoing Wales head coach Warren Gatland had admitted that he is no fan of the fixture either – cheekily suggesting an alternative way of deciding who finishes third in Japan.
Kiwi-born Gatland, who will be returning to New Zealand to coach the Chiefs next season after 12 years with the Welsh, gave his support to settling thing the old fashioned way – with a drinking game.
“I think Steve Tew (New Zealand Rugby CEO) made a joke to Martyn Phillips (CEO of the Welsh Rugby Union) that maybe both teams should have a boat race (beer on the table race) and we could settle it that way. I could see the relevance in that,” said Gatland to rapturous laughter from reporters ahead of Friday’s clash against the All Blacks in Tokyo.
“It’s the last game you want to be involved in but it’s been on the calendar, everyone has known about it.”
(Continue reading below…)
Wales were narrowly beaten in their semi-final against South Africa, a little over 24 hours after England stunned Steve Hansen’s team 19-7 in the other.
On Thursday, All Blacks half-back Aaron Smith admitted it wasn’t the match the All Blacks wanted to play in, but was eager to make amends for the semifinal defeat.
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“I was very happy to get a go again to rectify last week. I’m very grateful and I hope to show that in my performance,” Smith said. “My energy levels are perfectly fine… everything this year was to get to this week. We’re lucky to play another game even though it’s just not the game I wanted to be in.”
It's one of the 2019 World Cup's many feel-good stories… the return to rude health of England pair Anthony Watson and Manu Tuilagi https://t.co/Or5THGwCF6
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 31, 2019
According to Gatland, who has made nine changes to the team that lost to the Springboks, the Welsh have put the disappointment of semi-final defeat behind them and are ready to claim their first win over New Zealand since 1953.
“We have got a game (to play). You put the disappointment behind you, you think about the chance to play against the All Blacks and that kind of gets you excited,” he said.
“Hopefully, you put that disappointment behind you in the first 48 hours and you can start getting excited about the next 48 hours, go out there and perform well at the World Cup. We want to go out there and be positive in the way we play. I think the All Blacks will be the same.”
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WATCH: Warren Gatland spoke to the media ahead of Wales’ play-off game against New Zealand
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments