From: www.tiscali.co.uk/events/
Mail
My account
RUTHLESS GATLAND MAKING WAVES
By Alex Lowe, PA Sport
After Wales had been sent crashing out of the World Cup, Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Roger Lewis was ruthless, sacking coach Gareth Jenkins before the squad had even finished packing their bags for home.
Less than two months later, Warren Gatland strode into the Millennium Stadium promising exactly the same quality. Perhaps that is why he and Lewis got on so well when the WRU chief flew to New Zealand on a recruitment mission.
"I'm going to try and break the players physically and mentally, and see how tough they are," Gatland declared on day one of his tenure.
Clearly he had watched Wales at the World Cup, where they were a side packed with talent but lacking any clear thought or direction.
Wales found themselves bombed out by Fiji in their final group game and Jenkins was out of a job within 12 hours.
"It's about intensity and making sure we work under pressure," Gatland continued.
"There is absolutely no excuse for a player pulling on an international jersey and not dying for the cause.
"If he doesn't and he's holding something back, then he doesn't deserve to be there and I'll be reiterating those points pretty strongly to the players.
"I'd like to think that the players will really enjoy the environment, I'd like to think they will learn.
"They're going to be playing a style of rugby and training that they're hopefully going to find thoroughly challenging, but enjoying knowing they're working hard.
"If I can create that environment, then it's going to go a long way to us getting some results on the field."
Gatland built his reputation as coach of Ireland and then Wasps, where he led the club to a hat-trick of Premiership titles and a Heineken Cup victory.
He returned to New Zealand in 2004 and repeated the trick with Waikato in the national championship but, inexplicably, he was overlooked for a senior coaching job at Super 14 level.
Lewis came knocking and he did not have to tap too hard. Gatland accepted the challenge of restoring Wales as a competitive international force and was given a four-year contract through to the 2011 World Cup.
The immediate reaction in Wales was that the WRU must uphold their side of the bargain and give Gatland time. In the past, the union has had an uncomfortable tendency to lose its nerve when results turn sour.
Gatland's first public act was bold. He drew up a controversial proposal that any player who takes up a club contract outside Wales will be placing his international future in jeopardy.
Barely five days later Gatland was forced to soften his stance to an extent when scrum-half Dwayne Peel announced he was leaving the Llanelli Scarlets for Sale.
Peel was granted immunity, but Gatland maintains his plan must be implemented if Welsh rugby is to thrive in the future.
"I am concerned about an exodus of players. I have also spoken a lot about the number of foreign players in Wales," he explained.
"Some of them are really beneficial to Welsh rugby but there are also journeymen players who are not good enough to get Super 14 contracts.
"We want the players to stay here and strengthen the regions. Our ultimate goal is to get the best 60 Welsh players playing every week.
"It is about strengthening the regions. Look at the success of Wasps or Leicester - they have also had the most English-qualified players."
Gatland's most pivotal act was to appoint two new assistants in the shape of Shaun Edwards, the Wasps head coach, and Rob Howley.
Gatland worked alongside Edwards at Wasps and signed the former Great Britain rugby league captain on a two-year part-time deal.
"I am incredibly surprised Shaun has not been snapped up by England," said Gatland.
"For us it is a huge coup and we are delighted to have his services, not just as a defence coach but in his ability to create a winning environment."
Howley played under both Gatland and Edwards at Wasps, where he scored the winning try in the Heineken Cup final win over Toulouse.
The trio have been described as Wales' "dream coaching team".
When Lewis vowed to scour the world for the best possible candidate to replace Jenkins, this was what he had in mind - proven winners with a tough edge.
All that remains to be seen is whether they can shape a winning Wales side with the same granite qualities.
Print now
Send to a friend
Related articles
Related products