Warren Gatland is back in Wales as rescuer for Leek XV
By announcing in a press release on Monday the appointment Warren Gatlandthe Welsh Union (WRU) Hopefully, by hiring “one of the best coaches in the Football all over the world”, to make his players familiar with Ovalie Heights again.
It must be said that from 2007 to 2019 under the orders of the 59-year-old coach, who will take over by Christmas after saying goodbye to the New Zealand Chiefs (Super Rugby) franchise he has been at the helm since 2020, Wales has been on another planet. .
Three major championships
They have reached the semi-finals of the World Cup twice (2011 and 2019), won three Six Nations Grand Slams (2008, 2012 and 2019), and won the top spot in the world rankings to finish with qualification. The first time – thanks to a 14-match unbeaten streak in his final season.
Gatland, who was interviewed by reporters in New Zealand, replied: “At the end of the day, I know it’s a situation with a lot of pressure that raises a lot of expectations.” “But the excitement of international rugby, being in the Six Nations, the World Cup, I think those were major factors in my decision to come back,” he added.
Under the stewardship of the former hooker from Waikato (1986-1994), Leek XV won 70 matches out of 125 played (2 draws, 53 defeats).
“new part”
“We know (Warren Gatland) well and more importantly he knows us well too. We are very excited about this new chapter between Wales and I know it’s mutual.” Thus congratulated Stephen Phillips, general manager of the WRU, quoted in the press release.
He added, “He will undoubtedly be able to immediately influence (on the performance of the selection, editor’s note), as he did when he first joined us,” referring to the tournament from February, and then the World Cup. (September 8 – October 28).
“This appointment is not an emergency solution, nor some kind of aid: it is part of our long-term plan for rugby in Wales,” thought Steve Phillips, specifying that the New Zealand contract “could be extended until the World Cup-2027” in Australia.
Not really convincing
Wayne Bivac, 60, who succeeded compatriot Gatland after the 2019 World Cup, led Wales to another championship victory in 2021 but without real convincing, despite the emergence of a new talent, winger Luis Rhys Zammit.
During the 2022 edition, things began to deteriorate for the New Zealand technician after his defeat by Italy (22-21) in Cardiff, the first win of the fifteenth cross-alpine tournament since 2015. The last autumn tour, with three defeats in four. Of the matches, including a historic home match against a lowly Georgian national team (13-12), he only drove the point home.
“It’s one of the toughest decisions in sport,” Steve Phillips was quoted as saying. “At the end of the day, we’re working on results and we both agree that the current path for Wales is not where we want it to be, and we sincerely thank him for his time, enthusiasm, diligence and unquestionable efforts as head coach over the past three years.”
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