‘GIVE GATS CREDIT HE DESERVES’
WARREN Gatland will take charge of his 100th Test with Wales next weekend with one of his senior players insisting he doesn’t get the credit he deserves. The Kiwi coach will clock up his century when he guides his charges into a showdown with Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
Only New Zealand’s Graham Henry has overseen more games – 103 – for one country, with Gatland set to pass that mark on this summer’s tour of Argentina.
Hooker Ken Owens feels his achievements during his 10 years at the helm merit more recognition.
“Both inside and outside of Wales, for some reason, he’s always had to – not explain himself – but prove himself despite helping transform Wales in the past few seasons,” said the Scarlets skipper.
“We’ve been right up in the mix and things haven’t gone right always, but we’ve always been there or thereabouts and we are a very tough team to break down.
“We have won three Six Nations championships and two Grand Slams in the last 10 years, and he has won one Lions series and drawn the other. He is a great coach, and his work with the Lions has put him up there with the best. “He knows how to get the best out of players. When we have been in tough situations, he knows how to get that extra couple of per cent out of you.
“He knows when to work the boys hard and when to ease off and freshen yourself. He is a very good man-manager.”
Gatland has some big selection decisions to make for Dublin, especially in the back three, with the fit-again Liam Williams producing an impressive try-scoring display for Saracens against Sale on Friday night, with George North – who scored for Northampton yesterday – and Hallam Amos also back in the mix, along with Leigh Halfpenny, Steff Evans and Josh Adams.