Wales v Australia - 17/11/2024 (16.10)

[Welsh Exile]

Yeah, no blame on him not walking at all, I wouldn't. But he's dangled this, "I'll leave if I'm pushed" narrative twice. It's airing dirty laundry as a negotiation tactic to get out of a job he either thinks is impossible or one that he's not upto. It undermines Welsh rugby whilst being quite disrespectful to fans who adored him in my opinion.

Yeah mate, 100%

On a separate note it was sad listening to Warburton being so defeatist after the game. This is where we are, basically. I'm sorry, no one is asking/expecting Wales to be back in the top 4, no one is expecting Wales to get top 3 (or even top 4) in the 6N but we're closer to Switzerland in the rankings than we are SA. We just got blown away at home by Australia (after a relatively close summer tour with a weakened team I.e we are regressing and they are improving)

If that is where we are and there's no way it can get any better then we are well and truly ******. I completely reject that and while I accept the WRU and their management of the game in Wales is the main problem, removing Gatland and, honestly at this point, replace him with any young, progressive coach and I think you'll see a significant improvement.

**** me, just winning one game in our next 11 would be an improvement. Not getting completely rinsed by any decent side would be as well.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Yeah mate, 100%

On a separate note it was sad listening to Warburton being so defeatist after the game. This is where we are, basically. I'm sorry, no one is asking/expecting Wales to be back in the top 4, no one is expecting Wales to get top 3 (or even top 4) in the 6N but we're closer to Switzerland in the rankings than we are SA. We just got blown away at home by Australia (after a relatively close summer tour with a weakened team I.e we are regressing and they are improving)

If that is where we are and there's no way it can get any better then we are well and truly ******. I completely reject that and while I accept the WRU and their management of the game in Wales is the main problem, removing Gatland and, honestly at this point, replace him with any young, progressive coach and I think you'll see a significant improvement.

**** me, just winning one game in our next 11 would be an improvement. Not getting completely rinsed by any decent side would be as well.

Yeah, even beforehand I thought the three Welsh lads feared a bad day very much, it's sad to see.

From a selfish point of view it's relieving not having Wales as a constant thorn in our side and one that really punishes us for not being at our best but this can't last. Can't imagine even the biggest hater of Welsh rugby wants to see them continue like this year (although a few on here might dispute that!).

 

[Welsh Exile]

Yeah, even beforehand I thought the three Welsh lads feared a bad day very much, it's sad to see.

From a selfish point of view it's relieving not having Wales as a constant thorn in our side and one that really punishes us for not being at our best but this can't last. Can't imagine even the biggest hater of Welsh rugby wants to see them continue like this year (although a few on here might dispute that!).

I would be ******* loving it if this was England to be fair.

Mind you, I think a lot of that enjoyment would be because I would know, given their resources and player pool etc, that they would be back so it would be a enjoy it while it lasts kind of thing

With Wales it's kinda like you're prodding their lifeless body wondering if they're going to regain consciousness. If you said to me England rugby would fold and basically never return that would make me extremely sad I think

 

[General Melchett]

Just read that Steve Tandy is the bookie's favourite to take over from yesterday's man. He's a very good defence coach and is highly regarded within SR but is he HC material at international level? Think he had a stint or two as HC at club level but this would be a big step up. Him being Welsh is a plus and probably wouldn't cost an arm and a leg.

Trouble is with that squad and not much coming through on the conveyor belt it's going to be a struggle to attract top level candidates. Dave Rennie maybe? They can keep their mitts off Franco Smith who is my pick up succeed Gregor when his contract is up.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Tandy would be very uninspiring but exactly the type of appointment I'd expect the WRU to make.

 

[BPM]

I would be ******* loving it if this was England to be fair.

Mind you, I think a lot of that enjoyment would be because I would know, given their resources and player pool etc, that they would be back so it would be a enjoy it while it lasts kind of thing

With Wales it's kinda like you're prodding their lifeless body wondering if they're going to regain consciousness. If you said to me England rugby would fold and basically never return that would make me extremely sad I think

I'm not loving it. Part of what makes a rivalry good is how competitive it is. Wales will always raise their game against us even when they're at their lowest ebb, but if they continue on the downward slide, winning won't be anywhere near as satisfying.

I want England to much better but the same goes for Wales.

 

[Welsh Exile]

I'm not loving it. Part of what makes a rivalry good is how competitive it is. Wales will always raise their game against us even when they're at their lowest ebb, but if they continue on the downward slide, winning won't be anywhere near as satisfying.

I want England to much better but the same goes for Wales.

Do you want any of your coaches at Quins? Dont suppose you can have a word could you? I've txt and emailed Bomb but he's not getting back to me.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Funny thing here @Lé Ddanno is that Gatland's scorched earth policy was pretty much to bin off the experienced players and invest heavily in the next generation whether they're ready or not. You've kind of asked for England to do the same thing.

Taxtically, Gatland is definitely yesterday's man which is further compounded by the weakness of the Welsh domestic game and age grade sides. However, the principle of what he is trying to do with the squad has some logic behind it.

England kept faith with the old guard for too long and now have an experience void in key positions. Ireland are in danger of doing the same. They can't take the same approach as Wales because they won't be allowed to fail as hard for as long (although Borthwick's giving up a good go!).

The difference is that England have good players they aren't picking. With a couple of possible exceptions, Wales don't have that opportunity.

Broke my "don't post if drinking" rule :/

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Do you want any of your coaches at Quins? Dont suppose you can have a word could you? I've txt and emailed Bomb but he's not getting back to me.

Sorry pal we're keeping all of them, especially Bomb

 

[Welsh Exile]

Sorry pal we're keeping all of them, especially Bomb

We're broke anyway and we'll be looking up at rock bottom after Gatland takes the WRU to the cleaners.

Maybe we can tempt Adam with £40k pa free beer and sausage rolls but I'm not sure that will cut it.

 

[dullonien]

So what to do with Gatland. There's just no denying that his record absolutely stinks post 2019. He coached a very talented Lions squad to barely fire a shot in SA, was appalling with the Chiefs in NZ, and apart from one good win vs a crippled Aus at the WC, has been simply terrible during his second stint with Wales. Not even the most one eyed Gatland supporter can claim otherwise by this point.

I genuinely think he could have offered something to Welsh rugby in a DoR style role, due to his insight into Welsh rugby for way more than a decade. It's a shame that what initially sounded like that plan didn't happen post-WC, with a younger, progressive coach taking over the reigns day to day to inject new life and ideas into the side while Gats plotted a way to improve the player pathways and more high-level stuff away from coaching.

As it stands, it feels like most of the goodwill from Welsh fans has disappeared, and I just don't see that being an option that anyone would now want, including Gats.

There's clearly more wrong with Welsh rugby than just Gats. I don't for one second believe that a new coach can suddenly turn us into world beaters, but Aus themselves have reminded us of what a good coach can offer, seemingly turning Aus around from the joke of WC under Eddie, to a side that is not only a joy to watch, but a winning one in a short space of time. Gat's did it with Wales in '08. There's countless other examples across sport.

There still needs to be reform at all other levels of Welsh rugby, but replacing Gat's is pribably the easiest decision out the lot to make. Who would replace him is a totally other qiestion. Please no to Steve Tandy, not proven anything as a HC yet! There are some other options out there, and some might fancy trying to make a name for themselves by turning Wales around whilst we're probably at our lowest ever ebb. There is talent coming through, maybe not in all positions, but there is some serious potential. The circus of Welsh rugby, WRU and all coulf put most off though!

 

[IT157]

Gatland goading the WRU to offer him a severence package by "offering" to resign is a horrible insult.

What a way to ruin your legacy.

Confirmation that you should never get back with an ex.

 

[AlRums]

Wales lock Adam Beard ruled out of South Africa Test

Wales have suffered another blow with the loss of their most experienced player for the final autumn Test series game.

www.bbc.co.uk

Another casualty of war.

 

[IT157]

Wales lock Adam Beard ruled out of South Africa Test

Wales have suffered another blow with the loss of their most experienced player for the final autumn Test series game.

www.bbc.co.uk

Another casualty of war.

Things go from bad to worse for Wales.

 

[dullonien]

Things go from bad to worse for Wales.

Oh the horror, to lose such a totemic figure, whatever will we do without his 0.9m worth of carrying grunt per game!

 

[IT157]

Oh the horror, to lose such a totemic figure, whatever will we do without his 0.9m worth of carrying grunt per game!

Be a lot worse in mauls for starters.

 

[dullonien]

Be a lot worse in mauls for starters.

Meh. We can't afford to carry guys who only excel at one facet of the game, and are poor to average in most others. Although our maul defense was particularly weak v Aus, so you may have a point.

 

[Booboobang]

Just read that Steve Tandy is the bookie's favourite to take over from yesterday's man. He's a very good defence coach and is highly regarded within SR but is he HC material at international level? Think he had a stint or two as HC at club level but this would be a big step up. Him being Welsh is a plus and probably wouldn't cost an arm and a leg.

Trouble is with that squad and not much coming through on the conveyor belt it's going to be a struggle to attract top level candidates. Dave Rennie maybe? They can keep their mitts off Franco Smith who is my pick up succeed Gregor when his contract is up.

To me they should go with a development coach, they really need someone to complement player development from regions as the player pool is amn issue.

Franco smith is actually the perfect candidate, did a similair job for italy having them looking far better and then took glasgow to the next level. Havent watched URC much this year how have ospreys looked? I know toby booth had a young team looking decent last year. Failing that it would be a rassie type hire who you hire as a defacto CEO to improve pathways etc...Swing at lancaster and give him total power? unlikely to bite.

Edit:
Kieran crowley would likely do a good job, hard done by with italy.
Rob baxter as a DOR style hire maybe?
Jamie jospeh another with an excelent record of working with a developing player pool

 

[Welsh Exile]

We'll be lucky if we can pay whatever new guy even 25% of the reported £600k pa salary Gatland is on.

 

[Saintjay]

I think money talks if Wales offer the right amount someone will bite.