Warren Gatland would back change after Australia condemn Wales to record defeat
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Wales' Rhodri Williams gesturing as players compete for the ball in the scrum during the Autumn Nations Series international rugby union test match between Wales and Australia at the Principality Stadium, in Cardiff on Nov 17. Wales were hammered 52-20 for their record 11th consecutive Test defeat.
PHOTO: AFP
CARDIFF – Warren Gatland insisted he still had the fight to continue as Wales coach, but would back any change after his team crashed to a record 11th consecutive Test defeat in a 52-20 rout by Australia in Cardiff on Nov 17.
When asked whether he still wanted to be involved, having seen Wales lose 17 of the 23 Tests he has been in charge of in his second stint as coach, the 61-year-old said: “Absolutely. This is challenging at the moment. I’m only human, so I ask myself if it’s the right thing to do. But I’m happy doing it.”
Turning to his future, with a six-day turnaround before Wales face a daunting fixture against back-to-back world champions South Africa, Gatland said: “I don’t know...
“Whatever the best decision for us to make a change, to get some positivity in the game, you know, I’d support that 100 per cent, so if that means me, then I’m comfortable.”
He admitted Wales were not up to scratch against the Wallabies.
“That performance hurts,” Gatland said of the match, highlighting the concession of three converted tries when Australia were down to 14 men after Samu Kerevi was sent off for a high tackle. “To concede 21 points when they were down a man wasn’t good enough.”
Matt Faessler and Tom Wright each bagged a hat-trick of tries for the Wallabies, with Nick Frost and Len Ikitau getting one apiece. Wales crossed the line via Aaron Wainwright and Ben Thomas.
Wales captain Dewi Lake said the team were “disappointed with the run that we’re on, with the result today”. Speaking to Welsh broadcaster S4C, he added: “I don’t think anything needs to change, we just need to click... Half-time we were six points down, we went into the half with the momentum and came out thinking we’re in this game.
“One try and we would’ve been ahead, but the game got away. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel, we just need to take our points.”
Former Wales player Dan Biggar questioned whether change at the top would serve any purpose.
“You do wonder when is enough enough? But would changing the head coach... make this team better and suddenly go and win games?” he asked on TNT Sports.
Meanwhile, Australia coach Joe Schmidt was not getting carried away with thoughts of a first Grand Slam tour in 40 years.
The New Zealander was loathe to take anything for granted ahead of a trip to Murrayfield to play Scotland on Nov 24, however, let alone the final match of the tour against Ireland in Dublin.
“Too far away to contemplate. I’ve got massive respect for Scotland. They will be very tough... And we certainly haven’t looked as far as Dublin,” Schmidt said of the chance of emulating the 1984 Wallabies by beating all four home nations.
Meanwhile, three members of South Africa’s World Cup-winning team – Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit – were shortlisted for World Rugby’s Player of the Year award, alongside Ireland captain Caelan Doris, while France’s Antoine Dupont is in line for the sevens prize. AFP, REUTERS
