‘We don’t need a big debate over No. 10 shirt’
GATLAND HOPING TO AVOID AGE-OLD ARGUMENT AHEAD OF AUTUMN FINALE AGAINST BOKS
WARREN Gatland has called for a halt to one of rugby’s longest running debates ahead of Wales’ autumn finale against South Africa on Saturday.
The issue over who should wear the Welsh No. 10 jersey has been argued over for much of the Welsh game’s history, from the 1930s battle between Willie Davies and Cliff Jones through to the epic rivalry between David Watkins and Barry John in the 1960s and the contest between Phil Bennett and John Bevan a decade later, with Dai Richards also in the mix.
But Wales’ head coach hopes the media will avoid focusing too much on the three-cornered contest for the jersey this weekend, with Gareth Anscombe, Dan Biggar and Rhys Patchell all in contention.
“All three of the 10s have played well and that’s a great position for me to be in,” said Gatland.
“The biggest thing for me – and the players – is that the last thing we want is a media debate about Welsh No 10’s. They don’t want to be stuck in the middle of that.
“I think whoever is involved against South Africa will see it as a big opportunity and whoever misses out will be very disappointed. It’s a position where we have different players with different strengths, but we’re in a good position there.”
Biggar and Patchell complicated the picture with excellent displays in Saturday’s 74-24 victory over Tonga, with Biggar taking the man-ofthe-match award and Patchell helping to trigger the late surge that blew the islanders away.
Their efforts came a week after Anscombe helped Wales to their first win in a decade over Australia. Who Gatland picks will intrigue because it will reveal much about the way he wants to play the game. Whatever, the New Zealander feels Wales are building nicely towards next year’s World Cup as they target their first autumn Grand Slam.
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