1
'Like Ronaldo going back to Man Utd': Fans react to 'embarrassing' Gatland appointment
By Finn Morton
The Welsh Rugby Union have made a bold call about 10 months out from the World Cup, as they confirmed Warren Gatland would replace Wayne Pivac as the head coach of Wales.
Super coach Gatland etched his name into Welsh rugby folklore during his decorated first stint in charge of the team, where he guided Wales to two World Cup semi-finals and three Grand Slams.
New Zealand-born Gatland, who was also the head coach of the British and Irish Lions on three tours, is set to return to Wales for next year’s Six Nations and Rugby World Cup – and potentially beyond.
While Gatland boasts unparalleled experience in charge of the national team, this appointment may prove to be one of his toughest challenges yet considering the form Wales have been in.
After starting their season with an emphatic 29-7 loss against Ireland in Dublin, Cymru went on to place second last in this year’s Six Nations – which included a thrilling loss to Italy.
While they were able to win one of their three July internationals in South Africa against the reigning World Cup champions, Wales struggled to maintain any momentum during the Autumn Nations Series.
The All Blacks seemed to turn their form around with a dominant display against Wales in Cardiff, and while the men in red bounced back with a seven-point win over Argentina, they finished their year with two disastrous losses.
After a shocking 12-13 loss to Georgia in Cardiff, Wales squandered a 21-point lead against the Wallabies the following weekend.
While the prodigal son in Gatland has returned to lead Wales’ resurgence ahead of the World Cup, some fans on Twitter have expressed why they aren’t so sure that it’s the right move.
This is going to be like Ronaldo going back to Man Utd.... it's not going to be the dream fairytale everybody hopes it will be 😅
— Leighton 🏴🇰🇷🏴🇰🇷 (@Leightongreat) December 5, 2022
The problem for Wales is all their great players are over the hill. And very little equivalent talent coming through
— Brian Flynn (@Iagodicomo) December 5, 2022
Not going to make a big difference, not got the player depth or ability to compete at top level imo. Bigger structural shake up needed than having a new coach. Hope i'm proved wrong but i just don't see a new coach turning these players into world beaters.
— Tony Dudley (@TonyDudley5) December 5, 2022
Is going back ever a good thing?
Think of Regan King’s return to the Scarlets, Ronaldo to Man Utd and Thierry Henry to Arsenal.
Just saying.
— Alun Rees (@alunrees61) December 5, 2022
Difficult for Pivac, a season too far for some and others underperforming. Think Gatland may regret returning. But not sure WRU had many options.
— Gtg (@lazy_holidays) December 5, 2022
The Welsh rugby union determined to paper over the cracks for another little while I see, rather than address the problems at source. Embarrassing to see from such a proud rugby nation.
— jonathan o neill (@snookeramerica) December 5, 2022
The cracks will re-emerge.
— DRP (@DRP22108993) December 5, 2022
Good news for Chief Fans. Wales not looking forward. Can’t keep doing the same thing and expecting different results.
— Jordan Bernarde (@Jordan_Bernarde) December 5, 2022
Well my Welsh Rugby cousins, how we feel.about this...think privac was unlucky with injuries to key players in aut.nearly a full team missing if not mistaken..WG will cause an initial reaction and wales with players back to do well in 6ns..but how do ye feel bout this long term??
— barry clarke (@killoebaz11) December 5, 2022
Wales’ final two Test matches of the year somewhat summed up where this team was heading a year out from the World Cup.
Change was needed.
And while Gatland is always going to have his critics, a lot of supporters are backing him to help the proud rugby nation return to their former glory.
Last week wales were 25-1 to win next years 6 nations. I punted £25 quid on the off chance Gats came back…… that’s looking like a sound bet now!
— Owain Glynd?r (@IgtIan) December 5, 2022
The messiah returns pic.twitter.com/j5wZeSDpUp
— Grumpy Dumpty (@grumpy_dumpty1) December 5, 2022
We’re winning the world cup
— Liam (@liampag27) December 5, 2022
Great appointment but I feel we should have stayed with Pivac. We almost won a test series in South Africa and almost a grand slam in 2021. The squad is really good whoever is at the helm.
— PaulSimon (@DrPSW1) December 5, 2022
Great choice
— Anjela Galloway (@AnjelaGalloway) December 5, 2022
The king is back long, living the king
I'm so happy that Warren has come back.
Let's hope everything all works out for him
— darren watts (@dazwales240870) December 5, 2022
My wife predicted this a year ago: she's just reminded me. I expect I will be reminded repeatedly.
— Steve Mallinson (@Steve_Mallinson) December 5, 2022
— Harry (@harrys_72) December 5, 2022
Wales are in Pool C along with familiar foes Australia and Fiji, who they went up against at the 2019 iteration of rugby’s biggest event.
The other two nations in the pool are Georgia and Portugal.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
3
Let's be real about these All Blacks
4
Why World Cup winner doesn’t blame All Black for leaving New Zealand
5
Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
Go to comments