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'We desperately want to win' – Warren Gatland on ending losing streak
By PA
Warren Gatland has underlined Wales’ desperation to end their losing Six Nations run this season and claim what would be a statement victory over France.
Even though Les Bleus have produced nowhere near their standards of last year, highlighted by a comprehensive defeat against Ireland and home draw with Italy, they have claimed four successive Six Nations wins at Wales’ expense.
Despite several promising moments in defeats to Scotland, England and Ireland, new-look Wales are nil from three heading into Sunday’s Principality Stadium clash.
They have not lost all five games of a Six Nations campaign since 2003, with Italy – conquerors of Wales in Cardiff two years ago – arriving next weekend.
Wales’ recent overall Six Nations record is poor, having claimed just two victories from the last 14 starts, beating Scotland in 2022 and Italy last season.
“We need to win, and that is what Test match rugby is all about,” Wales head coach Gatland said.
“We desperately want to win. We feel we have been going OK and we want to try and put a complete performance together.
“We know we are on a journey, but we are trying to fast-track things as quickly as possible. A win on Sunday would be a good stepping stone for that.
“Whether they (France) come here to throw the ball around or play an off-loading game, or whether they go for being a bit more brutal upfront and play for territory, we have just got to make sure we are prepared for anything.
“We are desperate to get that win. We know we are not quite there and there is a lot of work to do, but we have put ourselves in games and put teams under pressure.
“They (France) have got a huge pack, but that is the challenge for us, it is about moving their pack around. We saw what happened to them against Italy, that they do tire and that creates opportunities.”
Wales were edged out by a point against Scotland, then two points at England’s hands, and captain Dafydd Jenkins added: “Obviously, we are extremely disappointed to lose games, especially with the tight ones.
“But in terms of staying composed, I think we have built game on game and I feel like we’ve got better.
“We are looking at the quality in the room we have, and we should be winning games, so that is really what we are striving for.”
Gatland’s main selection talking point has been a new centre combination of Joe Roberts, who makes his first Six Nations start, and Owen Watkin.
George North, Wales’ most experienced Six Nations squad member with 120 caps, and Saracens’ Nick Tompkins were the midfield pairing during the World Cup and in two Six Nations games this term.
Gatland said: “We just wanted to give Joe an opportunity. He is a left-foot (kicking) option as well, and he has been training well.
“I thought they (North and Tompkins) were outstanding during the World Cup. Again, it is a chance for us to look at a few other players.
“George and I have had some honest discussions about whether he gets through to the next World Cup (in 2027). He started at a very young age, I think at 18 he was playing for Wales.
“Part of our discussions were about how we manage him, how do we look after him going forward?
“We’ve just got to make sure we have got some depth in that 13 position. That is why Joe gets an opportunity.
“I must say how the two boys (North and Tompkins) have responded after the disappointment of being left out this week. They has been fantastic in the way they have trained and helped the team.”
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Before Schmidt came along I think its fair to say that nobody and I mean nobody had faith in the Australian domestic system and its ability to churn out players of test quality. Faced with Zero player depth, no distinct style of play, very few working combinations, an inexperienced team and a player and brain drain from Aussie rugby I think everyone believed Joe Schmidt was on a hiding to nothing. 12 tests later the Wallabies have a distinct style of play, working combinations across the park, are slowly building that player depth and have significantly enhanced their stock of good test quality players. Its taken alot of learnings but the project has rapidly surged forward in the last 2 months. What an upward trajectory its been. Before the Northern tour began many said 1 win would be enough to consider it a success. Well they have 2 and were in the contest against a determined Scottish team away from home. They never once shrunk and fought till the end. I also think about those 18 debutants you have mentioned. Imagine the benefit for them and for their Super Rugby franchises with them having now been exposed to a strong systems, with them having now been exposed to the learnings that only international rugby can bring. Imagine the confidence they can take back now into Super Rugby and also the knowledge now of what they have to do to reach that next level knowing its not beyond them. For too long during the Jones Era a sense of hopelessness pervaded the entire Australian set up both domestic and International. So many players saw their dreams fade into dust and others saw their futures evaporate while some became so disillusioned they turned to League. Now Schmidt has brought back hope and has given these lads a sense of purpose. Its almost as though rain has come after a long drought. Lets hope these shoots of green grow tall.
Go to commentsFolau made the abc community cry foul for sharing his beliefs . But what did he actually do wrong ? . Nothing , that’s why Folau won in court and the Australian rugby union had to pay him 4 million I think it was .
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