IT’S TOO LATE TO CHANGE – PRICE
WARREN Gatland has come under fire for leaving it too late to build Wales’ tactical blueprint around a playmaker at inside-centre. The New Zealander has selected Hadleigh Parkes, Owen Williams, Owen Watkin and Rhys Patchell as options in the No.12 jersey and spoken about the need for Wales to evolve from their traditional physical and direct approach.
Scarlets midfielder Scott Williams is also an option having been called into the squad following an ankle injury to Tyler Morgan.
But former Lions prop Graham Price insists Gatland should have addressed making Wales a more creative proposition immediately after the 2015 World Cup.
In a hard-hitting column inside today, Price writes: “It’s bit late for Warren Gatland to be saying rugby has changed tactically and Wales have got to adapt.
“He’s supposed to be one of the best coaches in the world but it seems like he’s only just noticed other countries having been playing with a second playmaker at No.12.
“It’s time Gatland woke up because Wales are already two years behind the likes of New Zealand, England and Australia in developing their game.
“While the clock has been stopped here, others have stolen a march on us while we’re in a state of flux and unsure in which direction we’re travelling.
“Gatland is one of the highest paid union coaches on the planet and he should be one of the leading innovators, whose ideas are being copied elsewhere.
“But, instead, Wales are following the lead of the All Blacks and England. By the time we catch up with them, if we ever do, they will have moved on to something else.”
Price says he fears for Wales this autumn.
He added: “This autumn campaign is going to be demanding because the big three from down south are already shaping up nicely for Japan 2019. New Zealand had a glitch against the Lions but waltzed to the Rugby Championship title while Australia and South Africa have emerged from sticky patches.
“We, I’m afraid, are still in one and the World Cup is fast approaching.”
Read the full Graham Price and Barry John columns in today’s Sport on Sunday.