Warren Gatland has admitted he has spoken to his players to check if they need any support or if they are struggling with their mental health with Wales on a 10-Test losing streak.
On Wednesday, Gatland said he had not yet contemplated resigning from his position as head coach but that he would ‘go back to the beach and have a glass of wine’ if it was decided by those above him that he was not the right man to lead the team forward.
Wales’ next opponents are a revived Australia in Cardiff on Sunday. A defeat to the Wallabies would take Gatland’s class of 2024 to 11 straight international defeats and make them statistically the worst team in Welsh history. Gatland has welcomed the pressure on him.
In doing so, the experienced New Zealander has tried to deflect the heat away from what is a young Welsh squad, revealing regular checks have been made on their wellbeing.
‘It was one of the points I raised with the leadership group when we met on Tuesday evening, asking if there were any players we needed to put an arm around and check how they were dealing with criticism levelled towards them,’ said Gatland.
‘One of the players who often gets criticised through social media is Adam Beard. That was something we did speak about as a group, making sure if there was anyone in the team that we needed to talk to and support. I’m aware of how challenging it is for young men, particularly in professional sport, when you’re under the microscope and things are said.
Warren Gatland admits Wales have been checking in on their stars’ mental health recently
They are on a 10-game losing streak and will face Australia on Sunday in a bid to end it
‘It can be challenging for them and it can be challenging for the families as well. There are a lot of people who have spoken out about getting help and reaching out.
‘For us, it’s something we are aware of and we hope we’re doing the best we can in terms of supporting our players.’
This week, former Ospreys and Wales Under-20 scrum-half Harri Morgan revealed he wouldn’t be returning to professional rugby to protect his mental health.
Morgan announced he was taking a step away from the game last year after struggling to deal with the pressures of the elite level which led to him trying to take his own life.
There is no suggestion Wales’ current crop – many of whom were former team-mates of Morgan – are struggling to such an extent.
However, there can be no doubt that Gatland and his players badly need to taste success this weekend. The 24-19 defeat by Fiji was, in reality, a must-win game for Wales.
The same applies to Australia, who will arrive at Principality Stadium this weekend full of confidence after impressing in a thrilling win over England last Saturday.
‘It’s about trying to take a little bit of pressure off the players so they have that confidence to go out there, be accurate, and play,’ Gatland said.
Former Ospreys and Wales U20s scrum-half Harri Morgan has quit the sport to protect his mental health after a suicide attempt last year
The average age of Wales’ starting XV to face Australia is 26, but that statistic is slightly skewed by the presence of Gareth Anscombe and Will Rowlands, both 33, and prop Gareth Thomas, 31. Only two players – lock Beard and No 8 Aaron Wainwright – have more than 50 caps. Wales’ back division to take on Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies has only 63 caps of experience in total and 38 of those belong to fly-half Anscombe. This is a young Wales side, one which is finding its feet in international rugby yet also knowing it needs to win and win now.
It is a tough place for the players to be.
‘We haven’t got the burden of expectation the team before probably had,’ said centre Ben Thomas.
‘But nobody wants to lose a rugby game. The focus for us is definitely on getting results. Last weekend was one we definitely let slip and it was a tough one to take.
‘I think confidence is probably something that you get through results, but also it’s built throughout the week. We had some pretty honest reviews on Tuesday. We’re probably past the disappointed stage and we’re just looking forward to righting some wrongs.’
Wales were beaten 2-0 by Australia in their July Test series. But, on the evidence of their England win, the Wallabies have improved markedly since then.
In Schmidt they have a canny head coach. Australia will name their team for Wales today (FRI) and will likely retain much of the same side that went well against England.
There will have to be at least one change though after wing Dylan Pietsch returned to the southern hemisphere due to a calf injury. His starting spot for Wales is poised to go to Max Jorgensen – the man who scored the winner against England after appearing off the bench.
