LATEST NEWS
Downbeat Warren Gatland To Meet With WRU After Admitting: "I Will Do What Is Best For Wales"
Warren Gatland expects to meet with Welsh Union officials to discuss his future over the next few days after suffering another crushing defeat. The Wales coach appears to be nearing the end of his time in charge, allough he also insisted he still has the stomach for the fight despite presiding over a record 11-match losing run - the worst in Welsh rugby history. An emphatic eight-tries-to-two, 52-20 defeat to Australia at the Principality Stadium may prove to be the final straw for Gatland - not a knockout blow in itself, but the latest in a series of repeated punches that have left him questioning whether it might be best if he is removed from the firing line.
Could this be 11 and all out for Warren Gatland as he tackles his toughest test after losing ten consecutive matches? Gatland's first reign saw him win 85 from 151 games with a 56% general win record, 60% record in World Cup matches and 71% in the Six Nations. So, the head coach had credit in the bank when he returned for his second stint after guiding Wales to four Six Nations titles and two World Cup semi finals.
Karl Marks Wales Highly As They Stay Strong In Turkish Test Of Nerve
Karl Darlow dodged lighters thrown towards him and “white noise” at the ear-splitting Kadir Has Stadium to help Wales secure a battling Nations League draw in Turkey. Wales spent large periods of the clash under the cosh, but Darlow’s steady handling and shot-saving ability ensured the tie finished 0-0. Turkey did have the chance to seal matters – and promotion to League A into the bargain – from the penalty spot in the 89th-minute, but Kerem Akturkoglu’s effort struck the outside of the post and went wide.
Wales Players Circle The Wagons To Avoid Gatland's Last Stand
Will Rowlands insists the Wales players are determined not to allow themselves to become the worst losing team in the country’s history. That fate awaits wilting Wales on Sunday if they suffer defeat at home to Australia. It would be their 11th in succession, beating the low water mark of 10 inflicted on former coach Steve Hansen’s no-hopers in 2002-03.
Joe Allen May Follow Craig Bellamy Into Coaching . . . But For Now It’s Time For Turkey
Joe Allen and Craig Bellamy go back a long way - way before the former was calling the current Wales manager, “Boss”. But going from providing the shots to calling them, is something Allen himself may well do when he hangs up his boots.
More Law Tinkering For Rugby . . . Midway Through This Season
Four law trials aimed at speeding up the game, reducing time-wasting and "enhancing the fan experience" will be introduced on a global trial across all competitions that start from Jan. 1 2025, World Rugby said on Thursday after its Council approved the changes. The adaptations will apply to competitions such as next year's Six Nations, British and Irish Lions and other summer tours, but not to those such as the English Premiership and French Top 14 that would have already started in 2024.
Ben And Joe Ready To Be Centres Of Attention As Wales Bid To End Losing Run Against Australia
Ben Thomas insists Wales “have a plan” to deal with Joseph Suaalii - but it had better be a good one. Thomas, 25, has been a centre of attention for Wales this autumn, a player of rich natural talent and creativity who, after a handful of games in a red shirt, looks likely to be a big part of the national team’s future.
Up Schmidt Creek Without a Paddle . . . Warren Gatland May Finally Tip Over
Warren Gatland has joked he might soon be laying on a beach and if that’s the case he will have got there by going up Schmidt Creek without a paddle. Joe Schmidt - an old sparring partner of Gatland’s - lies in wait on Sunday, when he brings his resurgent Australia team to the Principality Stadium to play a Wales side all at sea.
The Cardiff Cross Challenge Is Getting Wales Up On Its Feet
In London, it used to be said that you were never more than six feet away from a rat. In some parts of Cardiff last Saturday, there’s a fair chance you were never more than six feet away from a runner.
Warren Gatland Insists Critics Don’t Bother Him . . . And He’s Not Thought Of Quitting
Warren Gatland says he “takes with a grain of salt” recent criticisms from former players following Wales' record-tying 10th consecutive Test match loss. Gatland also disclosed that stepping down from his role hasn’t crossed his mind, despite the rocky start to his second tenure as Wales' head coach, which began ahead of the 2023 Six Nations.
Adam Keefe
Leaders Belfast Face Champions Devils In Crunch Clash
Cardiff Devils go into the first of five crunch Elite League fixtures against Belfast Giants in Northern Ireland this evening (Sunday, 5pm).
It’s the Elite League leaders Giants against a Devils team aiming to be crowned champions for a third successive season.
They have met once this season with Belfast winning by... Read More
Keefe: 'It Hurts That Cardiff Devils Earned A point'
Coaches Andrew Lord and Adam Keefe were both uncertain a late, controversial refereeing decision at the SSE Arena.
Montreal-born Spiro Goulakos smashed home with 1.6 seconds of sudden death overtime left and Belfast Giants players, officials and fans celebrated wildly.
But referee Tom Darnell waved the goal off, signalling immediately and strongly... Read More
Home Truths The Key To Belfast Giants Title Hopes
Belfast Giants are banking on home truths to give them an edge in their Elite League title tussle with Cardiff Devils.
Coach Adam Keefe and his Giants have 19 League fixtures left this season - and 16 of those are at their SSE Arena home rink.
That includes back-to-back fixtures against leaders... Read More
Lightning Strike And Snap Up Former Devils Sharpshooter Guillaume Doucet
Canadian sniper Guillaume Doucet has signed for Elite League ice hockey new boys MK Lightning.
The former Hull and Nottingham forward was hugely popular among Cardiff Devils fans, scoring 43 goals with 26 assists in two seasons with the Welsh club.
Doucet’s work ethic and ability to score goals were major factors... Read More
Cardiff Devils Stun Giants With Four Goal Third Period Comeback
Belfast Giants 3, Cardiff Devils 4
Cardiff Devils swept five points ahead in the Elite League table after producing a stunning recovery against closest rivals Belfast Giants.
After two periods player-coach Andrew Lord and his team were three goals down and heading for defeat, but they hit back with a ferocity which... Read More
Giants' Tough Guy Matt Nickerson Says: "We Must Go Through Devils To Win Title"
Matt Nickerson, Belfast Giants 6ft 4ins tough guy, has thrown down the gauntlet to Cardiff Devils before their Elite League crunch clash in Northern Ireland.
Leaders Devils play second-placed Giants at the SSE Arena on Friday and again on Saturday in matches which will go a long way towards deciding the... Read More
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