Wales test Gatland’s nerves in Fiji cliffhanger

BORDEAUX: Head coach Warren Gatland said Wales’s nervewracking 32-26 victory over Fiji on Sunday in a pulsating Rugby World Cup match was ‘pretty significant’ although he added he had been ‘pretty angry’ at his side’s chaotic end to the match.

The New Zealander admitted there had been some dumb decisions taken on the pitch by his players as Fiji stormed back from 32-14 to make it an edge of the seat thriller.

Had Semi Radradra not spilled the ball in the last move of the match with the tryline begging Fiji would have had a kick at goal to win it. The extent of the Fijians pressure was reflected in Wales totalling 248 tackles.

“It is pretty significant for us as everyone expected Fiji to win. What I am pleased about is there is some really positive stuff and some really good learnings for young players which will build our confidence,” Gatland told reporters.

“We had things under control and then unnecessarily made some dumb decisions and put ourselves under pressure. I was pretty frustrated and angry about last period of the game. However to me the sport is about being honest and make sure we learn from it.”

Gatland said he had been thinking of going down to the changing room once Wales moved 18 points ahead with a quarter of an hour remaining.

Gatland had no problem with fly-half Dan Biggar mouthing off at fellow veteran George North at the end of the first-half for choosing to run the ball out of their 22 instead of kicking it dead.

“It’s not personal, it’s professional. I think it would have been his mother’s birthday today and she passed away a few years ago. So today would have been pretty emotional for him. I hope she was looking down on him,” said Gatland.