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You can look back at the match threads on here. Gatland played a turgid antiquicated game plan with the Chiefs that was reflected in the results.
I remember sticking up for him as quite a few of the arm wrestles were close but I watched all their games at the time, and while my memory isn't the best, I remember the matches being dull.You can look back at the match threads on here. Gatland played a turgid antiquicated game plan with the Chiefs that was reflected in the results.
every chiefs fan i talked to was glad to see him replaced and its commonly known "moving upstairs" was gardening leave until he could find a new gig, my understanding is he had little to no involvement with the team once he stepped asideMaybe @Kiwiwomble or @Umaga's Witness can give us a better idea of what chief fans felt in general at the time as I think both of us will not be as informed as them.
sorry but this is fundamentally just not true, are you confusing them with the Highlander that actually did only have 2 AB's (aaron smith and Frizell)No he didnt, he had 2 kiwi internationals in a team when the other regions averaged 7/8 lol
And they didnt become world beater straight after, Gatland was there and involved when they developed and signed world class players.
He was never dropped, he already had lions leave in mind, and was allowed to go coach the lions, then he was welcomed back.I can only go off Twitter and Reddit but I didn't see a single person happy he was signed or sad he was dropped by Chiefs
Welcomed back as DoR, and every man and his dog, whether over there of here, knows why.He was never dropped, he already had lions leave in mind, and was allowed to go coach the lions, then he was welcomed back.
Didn't they shuffle him into a newly created DoR role when he returned from the Lions and then release him to go back to Wales?He was never dropped, he already had lions leave in mind, and was allowed to go coach the lions, then he was welcomed back.
Pretty much. He lost about 8 games, then McMillan turned it around when he left on Lions duty. Not dropped more moved side ways. Pretty much a results driven decision really.Didn't they shuffle him into a newly created DoR role when he returned from the Lions and then release him to go back to Wales?
Ye, they wanted him back, the discussions after the lions tour were about whether he was coming back after such a struggle the previous season, and his lions performance. They of course wanted him back.Didn't they shuffle him into a newly created DoR role when he returned from the Lions and then release him to go back to Wales?
went back and checked, once again....ALB actually started all but one game, Cruden started 3 and had another 4 off the bench, so hardly bit players in an 8 game losing streakYe, they wanted him back, the discussions after the lions tour were about whether he was coming back after such a struggle the previous season, and his lions performance. They of course wanted him back.
And FYI, Cane and McKenzie were the only mainstays of Gatlands tenure, Cruden and Leinert Brown were bit part players that season, Cruden had 1 start and 2 off the bench I think.
It was a very poor Chiefs team, poor tight 5 especially, but Gats win 4, and got 5/8 LBPs.
I'm not saying Gatland set the world alight, but as a high level coach 1 season isnt the time for change, the 2nd season is where the ship turns.
I compare it again to Ruddock, benefiting from Graham Henry's ground work
All were in their first season, and blooded by Gatland, again highlighting the argument of doing the ground work.went back and checked, once again....ALB actually started all but one game, Cruden started 3 and had another 4 off the bench, so hardly bit players in an 8 game losing streak
also in the team we Brad Weber who was in the middle of his run with the AB, other ABs at the time were Nepo Laulala, Angus Ta'avao, Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane but there were also Samisoni Taukei'aho, Pita Gus Sowakula, Quinn Tupea and Tupou Vaai who would go on to be AB's
If Georgia win Wales go down to 12th in the rankings. While that will give me no pleasure to see, I hope George win. Good luck.
Gatland said the other day, come the World Cup, people will be scared to have us in their group.Unless I'm mistaken I think the rankings are locked after next year's AI's ahead of the RWC draw in January 2026 and so whoever is 13th (or lower) will be 3rd seeds in an expanded RWC which will now have six groups. I think Wales will have to be careful here especially if they don't win any games in the 6N which is entirely possible.
who do you mean by all? weber had been at the chiefs for 6 years by then, laulala 4 years, ta'avao 3 years, Jacobson 3 years, Samisoni Taukei'aho 4 years, PGS 2 years, ....so added to canes 9 years, crudens 8 years and DMac's 6 year...2 of those people were newCory Hill to captain... FML.
All were in their first season, and blooded by Gatland, again highlighting the argument of doing the ground work.
I'll take your word for ALB and cruden, but I watched most of those games and dont remember them having much game time at all.
Not to mention covid, wasnt Gatland 4 wins from 4 before the break?
Chiefs were also a whisker from a few more wins, 2 buzzer beaters and should've beaten the Blues if it were not for a poor non call at the death (if I remember correctly).
My point is not that Gatland was a huge success, intact his time there was pretty forgettable, but there were plenty of mitigating reasons, and everyone involved with the club were very complimentary of his input