Gatland happy to play the underdog
WALES head coach Warren Gatland is more than happy his side will go into next year’s Six Nations under the radar.
Wales are currently not mentioned in the same breath by pundits as countries like England, Ireland and Scotland, but Gatland said: ‘Long may that continue.’
England and Ireland have dominated the competition since Wales last won it in 2013, taking two titles each, with England targeting a tournament hat-trick this term.
Wales’ autumn campaign — victories over South Africa and Georgia, but defeats to New Zealand and Australia — suggests they have ground to make up on their European rivals, although with players like Sam Warburton, George North, Liam Williams, Ross Moriarty and Justin Tipuric to potentially reappear in the selection mix they should not be discounted.
‘We will do a review with the coaches on Tuesday in terms of the (autumn) campaign, and then start thinking about the Six Nations and planning for that,’ said Gatland (right).
‘With where all the teams are, it’s going to be one of the closest Six Nations that we have had for a long time.
‘A lot of people are talking up other teams, and long may that continue from our point of view.
‘Given where we are in terms of the amount of injuries and the inexperience we put out (for the autumn Tests), I think we are in a good place at the moment.
‘We have worked on the way we want to play and looked at some different combinations, so I am pleased where we are.
‘We didn’t pick some players in the squad that we could have picked because we know where they are. It was about developing some depth for the future.
‘We will hopefully get a few players back from injury to strengthen the squad up for the Six Nations.’
Wales ended their autumn series by claiming a third successive home victory over South Africa —but they made hard work of it.
New Zealandborn debutant Hadleigh Parkes, who only qualified for Wales on residency grounds just hours before kickoff, scored two first-half tries, while his midfield partner Scott Williams also touched down as the home side built an 18-point lead. But the Springboks fought back to lead through touchdowns from Warrik Gelant, Handre Pollard and Jesse Kriel, before a 68th-minute Leigh Halfpenny penalty edged Wales home 24-22. Meanwhile, star Springbok flanker Siya Kolisi has mounted a stout defence of head coach Allister Coetzee.
Kolisi took over as captain following injury to Eben Etzebeth and inspired the three-try fightback from a 21-3 half-time deficit. With an extensive review underway by SA Rugby, rumours that Coetzee will be sacked are flying around South African rugby but Kolisi is adamant there is no need to make a change.
‘We have a great coach,’ said Kolisi. ‘Last year was a tough year. We play in a country where rugby means a lot. From last year to this year, he (Coetzee) has bitten the bullet for us.
‘Every time we win it is all about the players in the articles. It’s about us and how amazing we are. As soon as something bad happens then the coach isn’t good enough to coach,’ Kolisi explained, adding: ‘From where we came from last year he has done a great job.’