Warren Gatland, the seasoned coach who has steered Wales to four consecutive World Cup quarter-finals, stands resolute in his commitment to continue leading the Welsh national team despite their recent exit from the 2023 World Cup at the hands of Argentina. This determination comes in the face of a contractual clause that could potentially alter his tenure as head coach.
Gatland’s association with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) began last December when he inked a five-year contract that included a post-World Cup clause. Following Wales’ 29-17 loss to Argentina in Marseille, speculation arose regarding the future of Gatland’s role. However, the 60-year-old coach has expressed his unwavering desire to extend his tenure and nurture the current group of players.
In the aftermath of what he deemed a “hugely missed opportunity” against the Pumas, Gatland was questioned about his future during a post-match news conference. He humorously referred to this as the “Eddie Jones question,” alluding to the uncertainty surrounding Australia’s coach. Gatland acknowledged the existence of a clause in his contract but humorously admitted, “I haven’t actually read it.”
“I absolutely want to see this group through,” Gatland affirmed, “but if the union wants to get rid of me, then they’re completely entitled to do that. That’s up to them.”
While the WRU will conduct its customary review of Wales’ performance in the World Cup, Gatland has previously been hailed as the “best coach in the world” by the union’s representatives. In fact, in August, Nigel Walker, then acting WRU chief executive and now director of rugby, expressed strong support for Gatland to continue leading Wales through to the 2027 World Cup, saying, “I cannot see any circumstances where we would invoke that clause.”
Reaching the quarter-finals is certainly an achievement, albeit with a bittersweet taste. Wales will also bid farewell to some high-profile players, with Dan Biggar confirming his retirement and uncertainties surrounding the futures of stars like Gareth Anscombe, Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, and Dan Lydiate.
Gatland, reflecting on the World Cup exit, stated, “We’re massively disappointed because it’s a missed opportunity. We were not at our best, but still could have won. We’re gutted that this slipped away from us.” Despite the disappointment, he emphasized his pride in the team’s efforts and the progress they’ve made.
“This is an exciting group,” Gatland continued, “but we have to take learnings. We need to look at ‘how do you improve and develop from this?’ and learn.”
The coach pointed to issues with discipline that allowed the Pumas to make a remarkable comeback, erasing a 10-0 deficit to take a 12-10 lead early in the second half through four penalties. He also acknowledged that Wales failed to capitalize on their opportunities when they were ahead, both in the first half at 10-0 and in the second at 17-12.
Furthermore, Gatland mentioned the unexpected change in the referee, as Jaco Peyper was replaced by Karl Dickson, which may have influenced the team’s approach. Interestingly, Argentina’s coach, Michael Cheika, did not raise the same concern.
Gatland intends to seek clarification on several pivotal moments during the match, including Dickson’s decision not to penalize a contact to the head of Nick Tompkins. “It will be interesting because I thought it was at least a penalty,” he remarked, “but the referee said he [Tompkins] dropped his height.” The Welsh coach also cited a potentially contentious moment involving Dillon Lewis contesting the ball before Argentina’s second try.
In the wake of Wales’ World Cup exit, Warren Gatland’s determination to lead the team forward remains resolute, ready to tackle the challenges that lie ahead. As the Welsh rugby journey continues, fans can only hope for a brighter future under his guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Commitment
What is the main subject of this text?
Warren Gatland’s commitment to continue as Wales head coach after their World Cup quarter-final exit.
Is there uncertainty about Gatland’s coaching future?
Yes, there is a contractual clause that could potentially affect his coaching tenure, but Gatland expresses his desire to extend it.
What was the result of Wales’ recent match against Argentina?
Wales lost to Argentina with a score of 29-17 in the World Cup quarter-finals.
What are some of the challenges Wales faced in the match?
Wales struggled with discipline, allowing Argentina to make a comeback. They also failed to capitalize on their leads in the game.
What does Gatland plan to do after the World Cup exit?
Gatland intends to seek clarification on certain moments in the match and emphasizes the need for the team to learn and improve.
Who has shown support for Gatland’s coaching role in the past?
The Welsh Rugby Union and its representatives have previously praised Gatland as the “best coach in the world” and expressed confidence in his continued leadership.
More about Commitment
- Warren Gatland’s future as Wales coach (BBC Sport)
- Wales’ World Cup quarter-final loss to Argentina (Sky Sports)
- Gatland’s commitment and the contractual clause (The Guardian)
- Challenges faced by Wales in the match (The Telegraph)
- Support for Gatland’s coaching role from WRU (Wales Online)
2 comments
Waw, Gatland’s hangin’ on. Wales needs 2 work on der game tho. Ref change shoud’ve been prepard 4!
gatland is really determined, even with the clause. wales had it tough vs argentina. lots of support from wr u!