Coach Gatland willing to fight for his job amid Wales’ worst losing streak

November 17, 2024

CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — Warren Gatland owns the greatest winning streak in the 143-year rugby history of Wales.

He also owns the worst.

Wales lost for an unprecedented 11th straight time on Sunday, a record home defeat to Australia by 52-20.

Asked afterward if he was willing to fight for his job, Gatland said, “Absolutely.”

“I do it because I love being involved in the game. I have so many good memories with Wales and am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved. It’s challenging. I’m only human so I ask myself if it’s the right thing to do. But I’m happy doing it.”

He still has one more game this autumn, the visit by double world champion South Africa next weekend.

Gatland has been coaching Wales for all but two years since 2008 and has developed a thick skin to criticism, but even he hinted at limits.

“It’s the most challenging (time), there’s no doubt about that, and what will be will be,” he said. “I will chat to a few people as to what happens from here.

“I am passionate about Welsh rugby but there’s a lot of negativity around the game right now. I want the best decision to be made about Welsh rugby. I will respect the decision. If that means me (going), I’m comfortable with that.”

The losing streak stretches back to the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals in France in October last year. Wales then received its first Six Nations wooden spoon in 21 years, was swept in Australia in July, and lost to Fiji at home for the first time last weekend.

Gatland offered to resign after the Six Nations but was turned down.

The New Zealander is in his second stint with Wales. The first stint achieved Six Nations Grand Slams, World Cup semifinals, the No. 1 ranking and a 14-win streak in 2018-19. But many of the players who helped him win acclaim have retired since he returned at the start of 2023, including Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Biggar, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Ken Owens, Justin Tipuric, Alex Cuthbert and Gareth Davies.

Gatland has been struggling to fill the void. The matchday 23 against Australia included 10 players with single-figure caps, six in the starting backline. Gatland has consistently said he’s rebuilding the team for the 2027 World Cup, and asked for time and patience, but the defeats keep piling on misery.

Biggar, a TV commentator for TNT Sports, said, “If there are people out there who think that getting rid of Warren is the answer to Wales’ problems, then who do you bring in? Who can Wales afford to bring in? It’s not as simple as saying, ‘Get rid of Warren and that’s the end of it.’”

Another former captain under Gatland, Sam Warburton, added, “The first thing the WRU have got to do is ask Warren, ‘Do you want to stay?’ If his appetite is to stay, then lets review, lets look into this thoroughly. There can’t be a knee-jerk reaction.”