- Wales’ defeat by Australia further piled the pressure on Warren Gatland
- He is clinging to his position after presiding over 11 straight Test defeats
- But Mail Sport understands a change is more likely to be made next year
Warren Gatland’s post-Australia press conference felt like the beginning of the end for him as Wales coach, but he is expected to be in charge for Saturday’s game with South Africa.
Gatland is clinging to his position after presiding over a run of 11 straight Test defeats – the worst sequence in Welsh rugby history. These are dark days for a proud rugby nation.
What Wales and Gatland need like a hole in the head is the back-to-back world champion Springboks arriving in Cardiff. But that is exactly who they will face next.
Wales’ players were left devastated by the nature of their eight-try, 52-20 hammering by Australia. The mood among the squad is understandably dark.
The Welsh Rugby Union, as things stand, look unlikely to make an immediate call on Gatland’s future with financial complications at the heart of the decision-making process.
Gatland said after Australia he would be comfortable if the WRU believed the best move would be for him to be replaced. But the insinuation was that he would not resign.
Warren Gatland is expected to remain in charge for Wales’ game against South Africa
The 52-20 defeat by Australia was Wales’ 11th straight Test loss – a record for the side
Mail Sport understands that as a result, a coaching change is more likely in 2025.
Sources have indicated a break clause in Gatland’s contract comes into effect at the end of next year’s Six Nations which would allow him to part company with the WRU on financial terms that would be palatable for the governing body.
Sacking Gatland now would be very costly for the WRU at a time when they are struggling badly with monetary problems.
However, many believe Gatland’s position is already untenable. The presence of WRU chairman Richard Collier-Keywood and executive director of rugby Nigel Walker in Gatland’s press conference after the Australia defeat was noticeable.
Those two, alongside chief executive Abi Tierney, are the ones in charge of making a call on whether or not to continue with Gatland in charge.
It is understood the private indications from the WRU board are that Gatland isn’t going anywhere, not for now at least.
Wales have a six-day turnaround for South Africa, but Gatland has given his players Monday and Tuesday off to get away from the pressure of the national team’s current malaise. They will return to training on Wednesday.
‘We are all in this together. The players have to step up. It is a collective effort,’ said No 8 Aaron Wainwright. ‘We want to give the fans something to get excited about, get Welsh rugby back in a positive light, and get out of this hole we are in.
Gatland is clinging to his position but a coaching change is more likely to be made next year
No 8 Aaron Wainwright insisted the players must do more and that they are ‘all in it together’
‘If I was a fan and my team had been on a losing streak, I would be a little bit disappointed and upset.
‘As players, we need to really put our mark down. We’ve got ourselves into this, so we are the ones that are going to have to get ourselves out of it.’
The fall-out of Wales’ Australia defeat understandably centred on Gatland who was forced to answer some tough questions. But the focus on the New Zealander almost detracted from his team’s display.
Against the Wallabies, Wales were outplayed and outpowered physically. Their inability to stop Australian carriers is a real concern with South Africa – who pride themselves on their power game – up next.
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus will name his team for Wales on Tuesday on the back of a 29-20 victory over England.
The Cardiff clash is South Africa’s final match of 2024. Prop Ox Nche is available for selection after suffering a leg wound against England.
The brutal reality is that South Africa have the ability to put out two sides who could beat Wales and it is close to impossible to see a home win coming.
Wales lock Adam Beard won’t face South Africa due to a knee injury sustained against Australia.
