So, Warren Gatland is determined to carry on as Wales head coach after their disappointing exit from the World Cup quarter-finals. Despite the possibility of his contract being ended by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), Gatland wants to take this group of players further. He described the loss to Argentina as a ‘hugely missed opportunity’ and the inquest into the game will begin immediately.
During the post-match news conference, Gatland was asked about his future and he mentioned the post-World Cup clause in his contract, although he admitted he hadn’t actually read it. He made it clear that if the WRU wants to get rid of him, they have every right to do so. However, the WRU has previously praised Gatland as the ‘best coach in the world’ and expressed confidence in his ability to lead Wales to the next World Cup in 2027.
Reaching the quarter-finals is some consolation for Wales, but it’s still a disappointment. The team will also be losing some key players, including Dan Biggar who is retiring, and there are doubts about the future of Gareth Anscombe, Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, and Dan Lydiate.
Gatland acknowledged that Wales were not at their best in the game against Argentina, but he believes they still had a chance to win. He expressed pride in the effort the team put in and emphasized the need to continue making progress in the Six Nations.
One of the factors that contributed to Wales’ loss was a lack of discipline, allowing Argentina to come back from a 10-0 deficit and take the lead. Gatland also admitted that Wales missed opportunities when they were ahead in the first and second halves.
Gatland mentioned that the early change in referee, with Jaco Peyper being replaced by Karl Dickson, affected the team’s approach. He felt that they were not prepared for the change and it had an impact on the game. However, Argentina coach Michael Cheika did not raise the same concern.
Looking ahead, Gatland wants to learn from this experience and find ways to improve and develop the team. He highlighted the need to address the moments that can swing the outcome of big matches.
In conclusion, Gatland’s determination to rebuild Wales is evident despite their World Cup exit. He wants to take this group of players further and continue making progress. The loss to Argentina was a missed opportunity, but there is still hope for the future. Wales will need to address their discipline and capitalize on their chances in order to succeed in future tournaments. Gatland’s focus is on learning from this experience and finding ways to improve. The journey continues for Wales and their dedicated coach.