Warren Gatland admitted on Sunday Wales brought on the wrong player during their defeat by Fiji, a result which means his team has now lost their last 10 Tests.
The sequence equals the worst in the country’s history. It is 401 days since Wales last won an international match. The agony continues for Gatland and his players.
It’s been hard to escape the feeling in the last two years that as Welsh rugby has lurched from debacle to debacle both on and off the field, those in charge haven’t been fit to guide the ship. Gatland’s substitute confession after yet another loss seemed to sum it all up.
Wales had opted for six forwards and only two backs on their bench for what was a must-win game. And when wing Mason Grady suffered an ankle injury, it left them badly exposed.
Sam Costelow, a fly-half, appeared off the bench and played 47 minutes on the wing. But Gatland said that wasn’t the scenario that had been planned for.
Ahead of this game, Warren Gatland talked about the ‘ecstasy’ and ‘agony’ that comes with coaching international rugby and he looked in pain after today’s defeat
His Wales side have lost 10 Test matches in a row despite showing improvement against Fiji
Fiji pounced on a Wales team unfamiliar with winning and secured just their second victory over them
‘Probably the wrong player has gone on as a replacement. We talked about Ellis Bevan going on there,’ said Gatland. ‘We had a long debate about the six-two split.’
Asked how it was possible for the wrong player to come on, Gatland said: ‘I need to get to the bottom of that. We said we’re going to put Ellis on. And then Sam’s ran on the field.
‘I think he might have assumed he was the person going on. We had already had those discussions with Ellis that if we do lose a winger, you’re going to need to cover us there.’
Gatland’s comments were mindboggling. To his credit, he was honest about the process. But it beggars belief that it can take place at the highest level of professional sport.
The last time Wales last lost 10 straight internationals was in 2003-03, under Steve Hansen.
Gatland was then asked if he thought his position as head coach was under threat as a result.
‘You can write about that. The pressure comes externally, basically from the media, as it’s a narrative you create,’ he said. ‘That’s OK from where I sit.
‘But I understand Test match rugby is about performing and winning. You control the narrative and write what you want. I’ll see what happens.’
Semi Radradra was a beneficiary of the new 20-minute red card rule
Blair Murray was at first called into defensive duty before scoring a first-half try
Wales were having a lot of joy in the early stages but Caleb Muntz kicked a penalty for Fiji
Gatland might say it’s the media setting the agenda. But Test rugby is a results business and Wales aren’t winning. They missed 32 tackles against Fiji in Cardiff.
As they have done consistently since Gatland’s return in late 2022, Wales had their moments. Their attack did show signs of promise, particularly in the first quarter.
They scored three tries through debutant Blair Murray, a penalty score and replacement scrum-half Bevan. When Bevan did eventually appear, in the 65th minute, he crossed a minute after coming on for starting fly-half Gareth Anscombe.
The switch meant Costelow moved to his customary No 10 position with Bevan on the wing, as initially had been planned.
The gamble of going with only two backs on the bench ultimately backfired on Wales and serious questions must be asked about the Costelow substitute fiasco.
It appears there was a breakdown in communication between Gatland and the coaching box and those who carry out the replacement orders on the sidelines.
Regardless, Fiji were the better side and deserved to win.
They did though benefit from the new 20-minute red card rule. Fiji were shown two yellow cards, the second of which went to Semi Radradra for a dangerous tackle on Cameron Winnett. Radradra’s offence was upgraded to a sending off via the bunker review system.
Muntz then dived over the line for a try despite the away side being down to 13 men
Josua Tuisova was never going to be stopped and suddenly Wales were chasing the game
Ellis Bevan – a scrum-half – came on to the wing and scored late on but it was not converted
Things soon got worse as Muntz scored another penalty to start yet another Welsh inquest
But, after World Rugby introduced a new law trial for this month’s matches, it meant Radradra was able to be replaced after 20 minutes, rather than Fiji being down to 14 for the rest of the game as would have been the case previously.
‘It probably gave Fiji an opportunity to get back in the game,’ Gatland said. ‘I don’t see that as being bad for the game.’
Tommy Reffell of Wales was also yellow carded for a dangerous ruck clear-out which led to a try for Winnett being ruled out. Had that score been given, it might have been different.
But Wales, once again, shot themselves in the foot. And in more ways than one. Unfortunately, it is becoming a recurring theme.
