Warren Gatland ‘relishes the pressure’ with struggling Wales
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Wales' Gareth Anscombe during an international test against Australia.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – Warren Gatland has insisted that he is “relishing the pressure”, even though Wales are on the brink of equalling their all-time record losing streak ahead of their November opener against Fiji in Cardiff on Nov 10.
The veteran New Zealander’s second spell as Wales rugby coach is proving markedly less successful than his first, with the side having lost their past nine Tests.
Defeat by Fiji at the Principality Stadium would mean that they would lose 10 in a row for only the second time in their history – the first time was during the 2002-03 season under Steve Hansen.
“Every loss is a bind. But the bind is the pressure you guys (media) put on, not the pressure we have internally,” Gatland said on Nov 8 after naming his team to play Fiji.
“We are comfortable with decisions we’ve made or I have pushed as head coach, decisions that are the best for Welsh rugby in terms of bringing this group of players forward and developing the youngsters that we’ve spoken about.”
He added: “I relish those challenges in terms of the pressure (referring to November internationals against Fiji, Australia and world champions South Africa).”
His first stint as Wales coach, from 2007 to 2019, yielded four Six Nations titles, including three Grand Slams, and two appearances in World Cup semi-finals.
It is a big task to at least live up to that but he reiterated that he is not under any pressure.
“There is no difference to the pressure you face in every game in international rugby,” he said.
“I’ve often said in the past there’s no in-between (separating) the ecstasy or agony. Hopefully, on Sunday, there is ecstasy rather than agony.”
New Zealand-born wing Blair Murray is set to make his Test debut for world No. 11 Wales following just six games for regional side Scarlets.
The 23-year-old is the latest young player to be given his chance at international level by Gatland as he looks to rebuild the Wales team following their quarter-final exit at the 2023 World Cup.
“We’ve invested in youngsters and seen a huge amount of growth in them over the last 12 months,” the coach said.
Separately, Wales women’s coach Ioan Cunningham has left by mutual agreement after three years in the job, the Welsh Rugby Union confirmed on Nov 8.
The team managed only four wins in 11 games in 2024. They finished last in the women’s Six Nations earlier in the year. AFP, REUTERS
