While Gatland was on his way back to New Zealand to undertake a fortnight of quarantine his record as a head coach came under scrutiny, and saw him denigrated in some quarters following the 2021 Lions last-gasp penalty defeat in the Third Test of the Covid series against South Africa.
Attempts to saddle Gatland with the yoke of being a negative, defence-first-and-last coach appeared to be a reaction to premature suggestions from within the Lions administrative hierarchy that he was already front-runner for the Australia 2025 head coach role.
Whatever anyone thinks about his suitability to take on the job again Down Under in four years’ time, the idea of deliberately using the unsatisfactory tactical template of the recent tour as a means of smearing his record, while ignoring his versatility and the length and breadth of his achievements, beggars belief.
It would be wrong to suggest that Gatland be given sacred cow status, and a misrepresentation to say that, like every coach and player, his career has been error-free. However, there is no more valid statement in Rugby Union than the one which says if you want to know how good a coach is, just look at his record.
Even allowing for the narrowest of defeats by South Africa in a fractious, often acrimonious series in which the Lions were even less prepared than the Springboks – who at least did not have to build a team from scratch – attempts to undermine Gatland’s coaching credentials are an absurdity.
Esta historia es de la edición August 15, 2021 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición August 15, 2021 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.