Statement: Warren Gatland gives update on his future following meeting with WRU chiefs

11/17/2024 03:17 PM

Warren Gatland confessed he's been asking himself some hard questions about his future as Wales head coach. Following a crushing defeat against Australia — the 11th consecutive Test loss for Wales — Gatland confirmed he’d already spoken with senior figures at the Welsh Rugby Union.

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Wales’ slump to an unprecedented low in their 143-year rugby history came in the form of a record thrashing in Cardiff, where Australia ran riot, scoring eight tries.

Matt Faessler & Tom Wright: Hat-trick Heroes Australian hooker Matt Faessler and full-back Tom Wright both crossed the line three times, delivering a humiliating result for the Welsh side.

Gatland didn't shy away from the pressure: “I wouldn't be human if I didn't ask myself some questions,” he admitted. “You get criticised.”

Reflecting on his post-match chat with WRU figures Nigel Walker and Richard Collier-Keywood, Gatland expressed a mix of frustration and loyalty: “I love being involved in the game. I love doing what I'm doing,” he said. But he emphasized the need for unity and strategy moving forward.

No Easy Answers “I don't know why everyone is looking for the one right answer and the one right question that makes the headline. Is that what we're looking for?” Gatland mused.

He showed deep concern for Welsh rugby’s future: “What I do care about massively is Welsh rugby, the people and the friends I've made. The future of the game. Let's make sure we make the best decision for Welsh rugby.”

The Future: Uncertain but Open-Minded Gatland was willing to step aside if it was best for Welsh rugby: “If that's me moving on, if that's the best decision, I'm fine.” However, he also spoke about possible strategies to regain control and progress: “But it's a really important time between now and the next few years, building towards 2027.”

When asked about his next conversation with WRU chairman Ieuan Evans, Gatland said he was unsure but “always available for conversations.”

BonusCodeBets: Who’s Next for Wales?

Here are the odds for who could be the next Wales manager:

• Steve Tandy: 2/1
• Ronan O'Gara: 4/1
• Jonathan Humphreys: 6/1
• Brad Mooar, Dai Young: 8/1
• Shaun Edwards: 10/1
• Pat Lam: 14/1
• Rob Baxter: 16/1
• Chris Boyd: 20/1
• Mark McCall: 25/1
• Robin McBryde, Adam Jones: 33/1
• Eddie Jones, Steve Borthwick: 50/1

A spokesperson for BonusCodeBets summed up the situation: "Steve Tandy is the 2/1 favourite to replace the under-pressure Warren Gatland as Wales boss. Ten straight defeats, capped by a 27-21 loss to Fiji at the Principality Stadium, have intensified speculation over Gatland’s future.”

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Wales player ratings vs Australia

1. Gareth Thomas – 6

Another down-the-middle performance from the Welsh front three they looked solid in the opening half of the match. Thomas was robust in defence and carried well. If anything, Thomas just did what he had to do, which was just his basic skills but he did them to the benefit of his side. 

2. Dewi Lake (captain) – 6

Similar to Thomas, Lake was strong at the set piece, his throws looking good, giving Wales a platform to launch their plays. Lake was much more influential in attack this week, with his carries nothing more than that. 

3. Archie Griffin – 6

Griffin has impressed this Autumn with the young Bath prop giving a good account for himself in what has been a woeful Welsh side. His scrummaging has looked strong, and around the pitch, he's looked lively both on and off the ball. 

4. Will Rowlands – 4

Another nothing performance from Rowlands. When Beard left the field Rowlands needed to step up for Wales to keep their lineout strong and he just can't do it. Never did anything to note around the pitch just went through the motions of the game. 

5. Adam Beard – 5

Beard came off injured after eight minutes had been played, so he can't really get any more or less of a score. 

6. James Botham – 6

Arguably shouldn't have been on the pitch after an early clash but stayed on. Similarly to his back-row counterparts both just never injected anything into the game and lacked any really threat.

7. Jac Morgan – 5

Morgan looked far off his physical self that Wales have been longing for. Never really made an impact on the game carried decently but you'd expect more from Morgan in all aspects around the pitch. 

8. Aaron Wainwright – 6

Wales got a much more textbook Wainwright this week he looked industrious around the pitch. In attack, his carries were clever and gave Wales some much-needed yardage with the ball in hand. In defence and set piece, he was his usual self, constantly being busy and solid. 

9. Ellis Bevan – 6

Bevan looked really solid in the nearly 50 minutes he had on the field. His distribution was clean and snappy, which gave Wales some much-needed dynamism to their attack. His kicking game was all-around good, a solid overall showing from the young scrum half.

10. Gareth Anscombe – 6

Anscombe showed some much-needed experience for Wales and just dictated the ball for the men in red. He was more than happy to share his duties with Thomas at 12, which allowed him more time and space to link up behind the ball. The kicks for the goal were all good, so not much to complain about he just didn't steal the show. 

11. Blair Murray –5

Really dropped off from last week. Never got going and made to many errors defensively gifting Australia their first try of the game. Never really had any chances with the ball in hand and sorted of faded into the background of the game. 

12. Ben Thomas – 7

One of Wales only positive to take away from the game. He looked comfortable slotting in at first receiver which gave Wales something different to play from in open play. Picked up a try for his efforts and gave Wales chances with some slick handling.

13. Max Llewellyn – 5

Llewellyn needs to be more than just a ball carrier for Wales. Far too many times did he take the ball into contact and get turned over which killed Wales' attacking pace and caused them to stutter. Maybe it's Llewellyn lacking confidence or he's been told to play that way but regardless it needs to change. 

14. Tom Rogers – 8

Suppose Wales had anything bright in that performance, it more than likely involved this man. He looked magnificent under the high ball, which was loved by the home fans. His performance in attack, although limited, got people off their seats, which is something Wales fans have been loathing for. It looked as if he picked up a knock just before his substitution to pile more misery on Wales.

15. Cameron Winnett – 6

Winnett looked decent when he had chances on the ball but never got too many chances. Winnett is really following in Liam Williams' footsteps under the high ball and is establishing himself really well in the backfield.

Replacements

16. Ryan Elias – 3

Ryan Elias needs to improve his fundamental skills at the lineout. Dewi Lake has started the last two matches with good darts come set piece. The minute Lake is taken off the field Elias just doesn't hit the target and it seriously hurts Wales. 

17. Nicky Smith – 5

Another replacement which never changed anything in the game, a common theme this autumn is quickly becoming Wales bench just not firing straight away Smith wasn't necessarily bad he just was barely noticeable. 

18. Keiron Assiratti – 5

A similar scenario to Smith just never got going and came on when the game fell away from Wales.

19. Christ Tshiunza – 4

Another below average performance from Tshuinza. Didn't help Wales's lineout one bit and just went through the motions around the pitch.

20. Tommy Reffell – 5

Reffell was another casualty of coming on when the game was falling away from Wales and again was barely noticeable on the field which is far from what Reffell's standards are. 

21. Rhodri Williams – 6

Williams looked half decent when he came on and really just mirrored his form for the Dragons of just doing the basics well to try enable his team to get on the front foot. 

22. Sam Costelow – 5

Made a few errors with ball in hand gifted Australia a try with his intercepted pass and looked far from impactful.

23. Eddie James – 5

James looked a bit shaky when he came on and again never put his stamp on the game which was at a time when the game could've turned for Wales if they had just kept the ball. 

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