By Paul Jones
Warren Gatland will talk to his wife and family before deciding whether or not to stand down as Wales coach.
Gatland is reviewing his position at the helm of the team after they slumped to a 52-20 defeat to Australia on Sunday to register their worst run of results.
The call may be taken out of his hands if the Welsh Rugby Union decide to pay him off, just as they did with Wayne Pivac two years ago.
Gatland’s wife Trudi is based at their home in New Zealand, but even before the defeat he had begun to mention the toll being taken by family members when he was asked about criticism from former players.
Nigel Walker – OUT
Abi Tierney – OUT
Richard Collier-Keywood – OUT
Warren Gatland – OUT— Steve (@_MisterSnow) November 17, 2024
Gatland said he was both hurt and disappointed after the Wallabies ran in eight tries at the Principality Stadium, leaving Wales looking hapless as they suffered an unprecedented 11th successive defeat.
“It’s the most challenging, there’s no doubt about that,” said Gatland when asked whether this was worst period he had experienced in a long, and distinguished, coaching career.
“Obviously, we’ll have a chat with a few people about what happens from here.”
Gatland said he wanted to ensure any decision on his future was best for Welsh rugby.
“The thing is that I care passionately about Welsh rugby. You know, we’ve made lots of sacrifices as a family and stuff, and there’s a lot of negativity around the game, and I want to make sure that whatever decisions are made, it’s not about me.
“What are the best decisions for the (Welsh) game in terms of going forward? I’ve spoken about that a few times in board meetings, about if we’re going to do things and new strategies and stuff, sometimes we’ve got to be bold and brave about making some decisions.”
The 61-year-old is in his second stint as Wales coach and trying to rebuild his side after several key players retired after the last World Cup.
But poor results are cutting into the considerable credit Gatland has enjoyed with the Welsh public after leading the national team to four Six Nations titles, including three Grand Slams in his first spell in charge of the team.
“I’ve tried to be straight up and I’m comfortable with whatever decisions they make. I want the best decisions to be made about Welsh rugby,” he added.
“If that’s about me going, and that’s the best decision, then make the decision. We’ll talk about that and we’ll do that together.”
Matters will not get any easier next weekend as Wales face world champions South Africa in the last of their three November internationals.
Downbeat Warren Gatland To Meet With WRU After Admitting: “I Will Do What Is Best For Wales”
But he suggested not much could get worse after the mauling from the Wallabies. “I don’t think we could play as bad as we did today in terms of certain things,” Gatland said.
“I do not think anything needs to change, we just need to click. We went into the halftime break with momentum and came back out thinking we are in this game. One try and we would have been ahead, but the game got away from us. We do not need to reinvent the wheel, we just need to take our points.”
Gatland has now presided over 17 losses from 23 Tests during his second stint at the helm.
Australia overcame a 20-minute red card for centre Samu Kerevi as hooker Matt Faessler and full-back Tom Wright each scored a hat-trick of tries, while lock Nick Frost and centre Len Ikitau also claimed touchdowns, with fly-half Noah Lolesio landing six conversions.
Wales briefly fought back from an alarming early 19-point deficit through an Aaron Wainwright try, plus two Gareth Anscombe penalties and a conversion, with centre Ben Thomas scoring a late try that Sam Costelow converted, but there was no escaping another comprehensive setback.
During his first period in charge, Gatland masterminded World Cup semi-final appearances, Six Nations titles and Grand Slams, yet Wales are still without a win since the 2023 World Cup.
World champions South Africa arrive in the Welsh capital next Saturday, before Wales face a tough Six Nations opener against France in Paris on 31 January, suggesting there is no immediate end in sight to such a miserable run.
Just over a year after beating Australia 40-6 in the World Cup, they were left to reflect on conceding 50 points to them for a first time at home and the most the Wallabies have scored in Cardiff.
