By Paul Jones
Warren Gatland insisted he can see light at the end of the tunnel – even though things looked so dark for him minutes before that he offered to quit.
The Wales coach said he volunteered to fall on his sword after Wales hit rock bottom by picking up their first Wooden Spoon in 21 years, following the 24-21 defeat at home to Italy.
Wales are now officially down among the dead men of world rugby after slumping to a second successive home defeat to Italians to end their Six Nations campaign without a win.
You have to go back 2003 for the last time Wales were whitewashed in a Six Nations tournament in which they have previously picked up a record-equaling four Grand Slams and six titles in its 25 years.
“We’re gutted and we are hurting as players and coaches, but I can see light at the end of the tunnel because we’ve got a fantastic group of guys,” said Gatland.
“But we’ve got a huge amount of inexperienced players who haven’t played a lot of regional rugby. We’re exposing them at Test level, which is a bit of a challenge.
“I’ve made the commitment to see this through to the 2027 World Cup and that’s absolutely what I want to do.
After his offer to resign was turned down by Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney, Warren Gatland says he is here to stay ✅#BBCRugby pic.twitter.com/uV59DGFA5C
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) March 16, 2024
“I just said to Abi Tierney (WRU CEO) in the changing rooms, ‘if you want me to resign, I’m quite happy to do that’. She just said ‘like hell you will, that’s the last thing we want and what we’re really afraid of’.
“I can promise you we will go away and review this campaign really carefully and work on the areas in which we really need to improve.”
Gatland’s offer to resign is strange, since there have been few indications from the Welsh Rugby Union that they are considering sacking him.
But criticism of him and his methods has been steadily growing on social media and peaked again on Saturday evening.
What the offer does suggest, is that Gatland is feeling vulnerable after an uncertain campaign in which he has lost matches and admirers within the regional game, who were disappointed in his pointed references to their supposed reluctance to change.
The New Zealander delivered enormous success in his first spell in charge, but his return has so far been a notable failure, delivering a win ratio of just 33 per cent.
That win percentage was 55 per cent in his first spell and his current mark compares unfavourably with his predecessor, Wayne Pivac, who achieved a 38 per cent win ratio before he was sacked 16 months ago.
Gatland has won only six of 18 Tests in charge and his record in Six Nations matches in his second spell is just one win in 10.
His next matches this summer are against world champions South Africa and Australia who are eager for revenge for Gatland’s most impressive single result of his second spell, the victory over the Wallabies at the World Cup.
Can’t see WRU governance documents online. Question is whether the appointment/dismissal of Warren Gatland is a reserved matter for the WRU board.
If it is, Abi Tierney has no power to refuse an offer to resign, but she must bring it to the attention of the board. https://t.co/4uQzZ9RN4P
— General Synopsis (@Jack_M_Cade) March 16, 2024
Gatland has stressed long term development over short term results, but the annual Six Nations tournament is not just a development tournament between World Cups.
Results matter, particularly to the cash-strapped WRU, whose income streams are based on maintaining interest among both supporters and sponsors.
Gatland has pleaded for time to build a new team for the 2027 World Cup but what this campaign, and particularly this defeat, has underlined is the lack of talent available to him.
It was a seventh successive home defeat in the Six Nations for the deflated Dragons, who failed to score any points in the first half – the fourth time this Championship they failed to score in a half of rugby.
There was a late rally with two tries in the closing minutes to bring some respectability to the scoreboard, but it was far too little, far too late.
For the Italians it was another joyous day in Cardiff as they moved off the bottom of the table for the first time in eight seasons after winning twice and drawing once.
Having drawn in France and beaten Scotland in Rome, they dominated the first half and were able to close out the game in the end despite conceding tries to Elliot Dee, Will Rowlands and Mason Grady in the closing 16 minutes.
“It means everything to us not getting the Wood Spoon. Our mentality going onto the pitch is something had before,” said Italian skipper Michele Lamaro.
@sageuk Play of the Round
⏱️45:18 on the match clock
Italy moved the ball from a lineout and 7 passes with a combined distance of 37.1m in 10.5s
Pani received the ball 44m from the try line to run in to score #SageInsights pic.twitter.com/qXlSbIEviF
— Guinness Men’s Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 17, 2024
“Two games doesn’t define a team, just as we said when we were losing at the World Cup. We still have to be consistent to become competitive with every team in the tournament.”
After an aerial battle in the opening five minutes, Tomas Williams conceded a penalty to allow Paolo Garbisi to step up and slot a simple penalty. He did the same eight minutes later and then
It was little surprise when the Azzurri extended their lead midway through the half when their flying wing Monty Ioane broke clean through to score after some beat back line play. Garbisi pushed his conversion attempt wide, but it still meant his team led 11-0 at the break.
The first points I the second half were always going to be important, and another sweet backline move, and brilliant finish, saw 21-year-old full back Lorenzo Mani weave his way over for a second try. This time Garbisi hit the target to make it 18-0.
Wales now had a mountain to climb, and Gatland emptied his bench. Tries from Dee and replacements Rowland and Grady, all of which were converted, at least added a degree of respectability to the scoreline.