Hard work the key to Wales revival, says Warren Gatland after they enter Rugby World Cup q-finals

LYON – Head coach Warren Gatland says “hard work” is responsible for Wales turning crisis into joy, as his team became the first side to reach the Rugby World Cup knockout stages following

a record win over Australia.

Just over six months ago, Welsh rugby was in a dark place as uncertainty over a deal between the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and its regional clubs left players worrying about their future.

A sexism and racism scandal saw WRU chairman Steve Phillips resign, while the players threatened to go on strike ahead of their Six Nations match against England. Stalwarts such as Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Rhys Webb retired just months before the World Cup.

But now Wales are in dreamland after thrashing Australia 40-6 in Pool C on Sunday to book their quarter-final spot.

“There was a lot of things going on before the Six Nations,” said Gatland, who added that he had needed to understand the players’ “frustrations... in terms of insecurity and the future”.

But after sitting back and letting “things unfold” – with the WRU and Welsh regions reaching a six-year deal to ensure the financial security of the sport in the country – Gatland was finally able to get to work on fixing a misfiring side.

Wales finished fifth in three of the last four Six Nations tournaments. In 2022, they lost at home to Italy for the first time ever and were beaten by Georgia, also for the first time.

“We’re proud of the fact that the success has been based on hard work and punching above our weight, and you get confidence from that and from results like tonight,” said Gatland.

“You build momentum, which makes us even more dangerous going forward.”

The only potential blemish for Wales in Lyon was influential fly-half Dan Biggar being replaced after just 12 minutes.

“He should be a couple of weeks, no more than that. He’s feeling a lot better this morning,” forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys said on Monday.

Wales fans will take some solace from the fact that back-up fly-half Gareth Anscombe was Man of the Match against Australia.

As well as kicking six penalties, he had a conversion and a drop goal.

“He’s a huge professional. So well-prepared,” Humphreys added. “We’ve got a couple of leaders in the group, Bigs and Gareth are two of those people.

“They drive how we want to play, they drive training standards. He was excellent.”

Gatland, meanwhile, was impressed by his side’s defence.

“The fact they didn’t score any tries. We spoke about some of our line speed at half-time. That was a big focus at half-time. We were more aggressive,. I thought Gareth Davies did a fantastic job leading that aspect,” he said of the scrum-half, who also got the first try that laid the platform for the victory.

Nick Tompkins and Jac Morgan also crossed the line for the Welsh.

“I thought our game management was fantastic, in terms of keeping the scoreboard ticking over.

“We grew into the game and got better. They never really threatened us, which was pleasing.”
AFP, REUTERS