Gatland: If I lose my job, I'll go to beach
The Rugby Paper|November 17, 2024
ONE of the more revealing comments from Warren Gatland this week came when he was asked how tough it is to keep players believing when you are on an extended losing streak.
SIMON THOMAS
Gatland: If I lose my job, I'll go to beach

“I haven’t really been in this situation too much before in terms of doing that,” he replied.

Gatland is certainly in uncharted international waters personally and will be cast adrift as the Wales coach with the worst ever run if Australia consign him to an 11th straight Test defeat at the Principality Stadium today.

The latest loss at home to Fiji last weekend saw the heat turned up still further on the New Zealander amid widespread criticism, including strong comments from his former players Mike Phillips and Jamie Roberts.

Gatland said: “I’ve never been critical of anyone having an opinion. I encourage people to have an opinion. That’s always healthy for the sport. Criticism is part of the job and the role. Just keep writing about me and leave the players alone.”

He added: “Am I happy with where we are at the moment? No. Is there pressure? Yeah. But do I believe in what we are doing? 100 per cent.

“The conviction is there and that probably takes away some of the noise that is coming towards us.

“We are not throwing in the towel in any way. We will keep working hard as players and coaches and hopefully the tide turns pretty soon.”

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 17, 2024 من The Rugby Paper.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 17, 2024 من The Rugby Paper.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE RUGBY PAPER مشاهدة الكل
A humble hero who had a big heart ...
The Rugby Paper

A humble hero who had a big heart ...

A DARK cloud of sorrow has been hovering above St Thomas’ Church at the east end of Swansea this Christmas over the loss of one of its most beloved disciples, Geoff Wheel.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 29, 2024
Firefighter Konkel turning the heat up for Harlequins
The Rugby Paper

Firefighter Konkel turning the heat up for Harlequins

FIREFIGHTER Jade Konkel has ignited a Harlequins title charge following a run of miserable successive seasons for the 2020/21 winners.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 29, 2024
Quins finish year at the top of the pile
The Rugby Paper

Quins finish year at the top of the pile

HARLEQUINS went top of the Premiership Women’s Rugby with victory in Big Game 16 at the Allianz Stadium.

time-read
1 min  |
December 29, 2024
Pirates are on course to make it five in a row
The Rugby Paper

Pirates are on course to make it five in a row

CORNISH Pirates are riding a wave of momentum looking for their fifth consecutive Championship win when they visit strugglers Ampthill today.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 29, 2024
Nottingham take their chances to silence Cov
The Rugby Paper

Nottingham take their chances to silence Cov

A THRILLING display of high-tempo attacking rugby in which wingers Ryan Olowofela and David Williams played prominent roles earned Nottingham a bonus-point success over Midlands rivals Coventry.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 29, 2024
Itoje: Life's taken turn for the better under Borthwick
The Rugby Paper

Itoje: Life's taken turn for the better under Borthwick

ENGLAND and Saracens lock Maro Itoje has claimed that the ‘atmosphere and experience’ of playing for the national team has improved under Steve Borthwick compared to life under former head coach Eddie Jones, adding that some of the practices Jones employed to get the best out of his players were ‘unnecessary’.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 29, 2024
Varndell: Lam has put flair into Bears
The Rugby Paper

Varndell: Lam has put flair into Bears

WHEN it comes to scoring tries in Premiership Rugby, few players have struck fear into opposition defences quite like Tom Varndell.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 29, 2024
Let's hope Brizball can stay in fashion
The Rugby Paper

Let's hope Brizball can stay in fashion

THIS is not obviously the time to be talking balls – the Twickenham elite have cornered that particular market – but the question demands to be asked: is Brizball the union game’s version of Bazball?

time-read
3 mins  |
December 29, 2024
Roots looking to find his old form
The Rugby Paper

Roots looking to find his old form

ETHAN Roots started 2024 with a bang, man of the match in Italy on his England debut, but his year ended with more of a splutter.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 29, 2024
Dragons still can't get better of Cardiff
The Rugby Paper

Dragons still can't get better of Cardiff

DRAGONS’ nightmare run against their fiercest rivals continued as they fell to their 19th consecutive defeat, having not beaten them since Boxing Day 2014.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 29, 2024