14 WARREN GATLAND
WALES COACH
UP5
Having recently presided over Wales’ 3-0 Test-series defeat in New Zealand, the fact Warren Gatland has moved up this list since 2014 might come as a surprise. Yet he is still the frontrunner to lead the British & Irish Lions to New Zealand next summer.
Gatland headed up the coaching team when the Lions won their first series in 16 years, beating Australia in 2013, and was assistant to Sir Ian McGeechan in South Africa four years earlier. So he has the experience of bringing together the best of the British Isles and will no doubt relish the opportunity to take on his countrymen.
Lions legend McGeechan believes Gats will be the man in charge next year and feels Wales’ change in tack in June highlights the Kiwi’s growing understanding of what it takes to overcome the world champions.
“He knows that to beat the All Blacks you have to play differently,” he wrote in The Daily Telegraph. “That is why Wales tried to change their game by playing wider and quicker.”
It also shouldn’t be forgotten that Gatland’s injury-ravaged Wales team beat England at last year’s World Cup and were five minutes away from reaching the semi-finals. Wales showed huge grit and determination during the tournament – similar characteristics to their coach, who is able to dictate policy in Wales. For example, he blocked Taulupe Faletau’s move to Bath post-World Cup. The No 8 is now in situ at the Rec but he had to wait until the end of the season to switch from the Dragons.
Gatland has stressed the importance of internationals playing in Wales if they want to be picked for Wales and has seen the likes of Jonathan Davies, Bradley Davies and Matthew Morgan return to regions.
His coaching achievements have not gone unnoticed in New Zealand, with NZ Rugby chief Steve Tew namechecking Gatland as a possible replacement for Steve Hansen.
Never short of a word or two for the media either, Gatland has plenty of say in rugby.