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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.
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After Waiting Nine Hours For A Goal, Swansea City Boss Luke Williams Insists There Are More Coming
Luke Williams believes Swansea City’s previously shot-shy strikers can build on the club’s first goals for over nine hours. After failing to find the net throughout October, the Swans eventually ended their barren run when Zan Vipotnik turned in Ronald's cross to spark a 2-1 victory at Oxford United at... Read More
Mark Harris Is Back Home In Cardiff . . . But The Wales Striker Is Glad He Moved Away
Mark Harris is looking forward to being back at... Read More
Leeds United’s Karl Darlow Is Wales’ New Boy As Craig Bellamy Considers Captaincy Options
Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow has joined the Wales set-up by being named in Craig Bellamy’s first squad. Northampton-born Darlow – the grandson of former Wales international and 1958 World Cup squad member Ken Leek – turned down the chance earlier in his career to join the Dragons’ squad when choosing... Read More
Dennis Gethin . . . Player, Lawyer, Guv’nor And Hugely Popular Figure In Welsh Rugby
Dennis Gethin, the former secretary and president of the Welsh Rugby Union, has died at the age of 79. Born in Seven Sisters, he enjoyed a hugely successful career in both rugby and the law. He was the 11th and last secretary of the WRU – the role became CEO... Read More
Joel Piroe In Talks With Swansea City And Hopeful Over New Deal For Striker
Michael Duff has revealed Swansea City are in talks with star striker Joel Piroe over extending his stay with the club. The Dutchman is out of contract next summer and gave head coach Duff a first-hand look at what he can do by scoring two of his side's goals in... Read More
Former Scarlet Stephen Leonard Leads Light Blues . . . Then Back To The Day Job Seeking Cure For Cancer
Stephen Leonard will follow in some illustrious Welsh footsteps when the Cambridge skipper leads out the Light Blues in the 138th Varsity Match at Twickenham today (Thurs). The former Llandovery College pupil has graduated into a back row regular at Grange Road and will win his third Blue at the... Read More
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