Warren Gatland Drops Hint on His Future After Yet Another Defeat

Today at 03:04 PM

Wales boss Warren Gatland dropped a tantalising hint about his future, but on the pitch, his team couldn't stop the Springboks from running riot in Cardiff.

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Mostert & Etzebeth: Early Carnage

Two tries in the opening eight minutes from Franco Mostert and Eben Etzebeth set the tone for a bruising encounter.

Arendse & Louw: First-Half Blitz

Kurt-Lee Arendse's pace and Elrigh Louw's power added two more before the break as the Springboks ran riot.

No Mercy After Half-Time

Aphelele Fassi and Gerhard Steenekamp crossed before Jordan Hendrikse sealed his man-of-the-match display with a try.

Late Consolation for Wales

Rio Dyer and James Botham crossed late to avoid a record home defeat, but it couldn't mask the gulf in class

The Springboks closed their season in style, leaving Wales winless in 12 games and Gatland with plenty to ponder.

POLL:

What Gatland said:

Wales head coach Warren Gatland told TNT Sports: “It’s about seeing what the Welsh Rugby Union has to say.

“You don’t make a decision straight after a game, it’s always tough coming to a press conference straight after a game before you’ve had time to catch your breath and look at some of the stats and numbers.

“Let’s just see what happens over the next few days.

On the game itself, Gatland added: “With a young group of players, I think they’ll learn a massive amount from today’s game against the world champions and hopefully there’s a step up next time when they play at this level with the intensity and physicality that a team like South Africa bring.”

Social reaction:

One fan shared their admiration for Gatland, highlighting his honesty and dedication:
“Warren Gatland interview worth watching. Very honest, really looks like he cares. Can’t imagine for a moment he didn’t give his all as a coach. He’s led Wales, the Lions and others to some epic wins. Felt for him being asked to discuss his future directly after the game.”

Another fan, despite being on the opposite side of the historic rivalry, expressed sympathy:
“I'm English. Our rivalry with Wales doesn't need explaining. But like many of our neighbours, we know it's part of the banter. But jeez, I'm so sad for Welsh rugby fans & Warren Gatland. He looks so stressed!”

The respect for Gatland's efforts during difficult times was also evident:
“If Warren Gatland goes he deserves the utmost respect and credit for coming back to try to rescue a declining Welsh game. Give us all some great rugby times that may never be replicated.”

BBC sports journalist Sonja McLaughlan weighed in on the broader challenges facing Welsh rugby:
“It's so easy to just sack the head coach. If not Warren Gatland then who? Can WRU even afford to buy coaches like Shaun Edwards or ROG out of existing contracts? And no point to any of it without fundamental change to the system in Wales.”

The uncertainty surrounding Gatland's future was palpable in another fan’s analysis of his post-match demeanor:
“So without saying it #Gatland’s words and demeanor at post game press interview pretty much confirms that he expects to leave. #WalvRSA ‘We’ll just wait and see what happens over the next couple of days’. #Warburton says that ‘there is no magic bullet’. Hmm.”

Wales: 12

• Tries: Rio Dyer (40′), James Botham (80′)
• Cons:Ben Thomas (80′)
• Pens:

South Africa: 45

• Tries: Franco Mostert (05′), Eben Etzebeth (08′), Kurt-Lee Arendse (18′), Elrigh Louw (33′), Aphelele Fassi (53′), Gerhard Steenekamp (61′), Jordan Hendrikse (75′)
• Cons: Jordan Hendrikse (06′, 19′, 34′, 62′,76′)
• Pens:

Wales player ratings vs South Africa:

1. Nicky Smith-4

The first of a trio of front-row players who struggled at the scrum, which eliminated one of Wales’ platforms to launch from. Looked okay around the pitch, he just physically was miles off from matching the opposition.

2. Dewi Lake (captain) – 5

Lake’s darts looked solid once again, which is arguably his only major positive in the game. Got blown away at scrum time far too many times as part of the front row, which gave South Africa easy chances for scores.

3. Archie Griffin – 4

He only managed 35 minutes before heading off injured. Wales overall got demolished come scrum time, which unfortunately falls on Griffin and the rest of the Welsh pack heads. Apart from that, he could never get near the Springbok’s physicality in both attack and defence.

4. Will Rowlands – 4

Another member of a lacklustre Welsh pack who failed to impact the game. Across the three Autumn Nations Series tests, Rowlands has failed to make an impact none more than today. Soft in attack and just off it in defence.

5. Chris Tshiunza-5

Tshiunza did a decent job at the Adam beard line-out role and enabled Wales some decently clean ball off the set piece. Just apart from that, it was another nothingness performance around the field.

6. James Botham – 6

Botham struggled to match up against his opposite number. He was penalised a few times at the maul, which hurt Wales and kept them pinned back at times. Botham grabbed a try late on to consolidate Wales.

7. Jac Morgan – 5

Morgan looked decent and looked hungry to put wrongs right, but it just didn’t go his way. Falling off too many tackles and being direct, but never really making a stamp on the game.

8. Taine Plumtree – 5

Taine Plumtree has the potential to be such a weapon for Wales all around the field and he’s shown flashes of this test series, but he just never got into the game against an opposition pack that which required his physicality

9. Ellis Bevan – 6

Bevan kept Wales somewhat ticking with some quick ball speed to try and get Wales into the game. Found Dyer from the ruck for his try. Box kicking was again solid, and he never did too much wrong himself he just lacked the chances to make an impact.

10. Sam Costellow – 6

The Welsh backline was suffocated of the ball for the majority of the half Costellow played. His kicks were good in open play, giving Wales some needed yards up the pitch. Went off for an HIA before being swapped at halftime, so there was not much more he could do in his time.

11. Rio Dyer-7

Arguably the only Welsh player to have a major impact. Looked lively on his wing as well as coming infield for work. Played as if he had a point to prove and gave Wales some life on the ball and added some pace to their attack.

12. Ben Thomas – 5

Spent the majority of the game at fly-half after Costellow went off and just lacked the chances to make any plays with the ball. Both from set piece and free play, he just never got the chance to change the game.

13. Max Llewellyn – 5

Llewellyn failed to do anything to make a mark on the game. Ghosted in both attack and defence but also wasn’t helped by Wales’ lack of ball in hand.

14. Josh Hathaway-6

Looked decent in attack and defence and looked hungry for the ball. Had a huge shot on Kolisi to get Wales a scrum five but, again, just lacked the opportunities to make anything of the ball.

15. Blair Murray-4

Looked far too uncomfortable at fullback compared to his performances off the wing; defensively, he looked all at sea and slipped off too many tackles, giving South Africa easier chances. Also looked nervous under the high ball.

Replacements

16. Ryan Elias – 5

17. Kemsley Mathias- 5

18. Keiron Assiratti – 5

19. Freddie Thomas-4

20. Tommy Reffell – 4

21. Rhodri Williams – 5

22. Eddie James- 5

23. Owen Watkin- 5

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• Seven Ex-England Players Call Out Eddie Jones, And It's Brutal
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Can you name Wales’ XV from their 2012 Grand Slam?

Test your rugby knowledge with this challenge! Can you name the starting XV from Wales’ unforgettable 2012 Grand Slam victory?

You've got three minutes on the clock—think fast and see how many players you can recall from that iconic team!

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