Warren Gatland signs new four year deal with the WRU.

[dullonien]

The WRU have confirmed that Warren Gatland has signed a new four year deal with them that, will mean gatland will remain the head coach of Wales untill after the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/8970780.stm

What are people's views on this? I think in general this is a good thing, as Gatland has built a squad which is much stronger and has much more depth than we've had for a very, very long time. Whilst that has coinsided with young talent emerging from the regions, I think he's done well to include many of them. Results however have been a little disapointing over the last two seasons, not to mention playing style.

The one big thing that this move does do though is build confidence in the WRU. We were lucky to get a coach of Gatland's quality after sacking a series of coaches at very little notice. If gatland stay's the full term, he will become the longest standing Welsh coach in history. Our chances of employing a top quality coach after Gatland will have inclreased due to this move.

Hopefully a Welsh coach will be able to take over the reigns after 2015, but at the moment there isn't any Welsh coaches up to the job imo. Dai Young and Paul Turner are getting there, but both need more experience and in Paul Turner's case a stint at a big club to see if he can get the best out of a top quality squad.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I imagine a lot of people won't be too happy about this,
As a some-time-Wales fan (when they're not playing England, basically ) I think it's good news, he's a good coach and has done well with the players/bringing new ones through

 

[Teh Mite]

4 more years of blaming everyone else for Wales' shortcomings it is then*.


*unless/until the NZRU offer him a bog pay cheque for the ABs job.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

To be honest Im not quite overjoyed by this. People bang on about his results etc ... yet Wales are quite often predictable in attack and defence, Gatland's team selections are often lacking players inform or players who actually deserve a spot but bows to pressure from the media and boys within the WRU. His constant decision to keep a mediocre forwards coach in Robin McBryde is a pretty stupid one. I honestly think at times we are one of the worst in the games up top, bar a few world class players in one or two positions which to me carry the pack then we can never truly expect to compete and live with the likes of the All Blacks and South Africa. But then who else is there? Turner/Young are to inexperienced at the moment and really are there any better alternatives out there?

He has every right Chris to blame others for the mess the Wales team is in, the way Jenkins left him a Wales squad was nothing short of poor. At times Wales have suffered on the back of some poor refereeing decisions and to be honest there is much moaning from him as there is from any other coach ... bar Venter. So to take a shot at him for that is quite unfair about his moaning. If you look deeply at the WRU its the only way he can get his opinion over. That said some of the media outlets have it in for him.

 

[Teh Mite]

Rob, before Venter came along Gatland was widely considered by nigh-on everyone to be rugbys Alex Ferguson. Now he's slightly downgraded to be an Wenger.

 

[MichaelBoard]

I'm glad that hes staying on till 2015, a bit of stability is good for us

 

[munstermuffin]

Only thing I'll say is it was a bad idea to give the extension before the World Cup. Look at Eddie O'Sullivan at last World Cup and the IRFU had to pay a nice packet as a result

 

[dullonien]

If he tweaks the tactics used during the upgoming AI's, I'll be very happy that he's been re-appointed. He only has so much influence on the results, and he has little control over things like stupid yellow cards given away during last years 6 nations, or the innability of the players to put together an 80min performances. What he can control is squad and team selection (let's see how that goes in a few mins) and tactics. The new law interpretations will hopefully see Gatland revise the tactics to suit the Welsh flair we certainly have in areas, he's hinted at it, so let's see it in the AI's!

 

[Draggs]

Not the best coach, but who else do Wales have right now?
They would risk another Gareth Jenkins situation of hiring someone totally incompetent due to lack of time.
I would have perhaps offered an 18 months extension, and then review for the long term after 2011.

 

[cyRil]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!

 

[Draggs]

WRU have a performance clause in Gatland's contract:

The Welsh Rugby Union will have the option of terminating Warren Gatland's newly signed contract if his side fail to perform at the World Cup.

The New Zealander signed a four year extension to his current deal during the week that will potentially see him continue until the 2015 World Cup. It has since emerged that Gatland's deal includes a five month release clause in 2013 that coincides with the Lions tour to Australia, although he has suggested that he may take charge of the Wales U-20s at that year's Junior World Cup.

And in the latest twist to the contract story, Gatland has revealed that the WRU have covered themselves in case of a poor performance in next year's World Cup in New Zealand. Wary that the Irish Rugby Football Union awarded a simillar deal to then coach Eddie O'Sullivan in advance of the last competition in France in 2007 before Ireland capitulated at the tournament, the union are being careful of not being caught in a similar bind.

Having turned down a role with a Super Rugby side in his home country, Gatland says his decision to sign the new deal was based on continuity and he revealed he is relishing the coming November internationals. And he said he understands the decision to insert the clause in his contract.

"The Welsh Rugby Union is looking for stability but there is a clause that if we are not great at the World Cup they have an out," Gatland told The Observer. "I understand that and I am not naive enough to realise that they won't want to protect their own interests. If performances go and you lose a few games, you get the sack. That's sport. We have to perform as a side and the union needs to put us under pressure to get performances and results.

"It was a very tough decision to stay on. I just felt there was unfinished business in terms of continuity. The vast majority of the players in the squad will be around for the 2015 World Cup. I see my role as bringing through coaches as well as players and working with the age-groups. It is about benefiting Welsh rugby as a whole in the long term.

"The problem with Welsh rugby is that we struggle with depth of numbers. When we have a full squad to pick from we are capable of beating anyone. Since the 2008 grand slam we have been without four or five key players every campaign but we go into November missing only Jamie Roberts and a certain dancer (Gavin Henson). We have more depth than when I arrived, but certain areas are a concern.

"The two games we have to target are Australia and South Africa," he says. "New Zealand come last, which is good because we are usually stronger at the end of a campaign than at the start of it. I am just looking forward to some excellent Test matches: a year ago, rugby was dominated by territory, defence and kicking but excitement is in the air now and the encounter with the Wallabies, in particular, could be a classic."

Scrum.com

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Oh dear .... wonder who the Franchise team was in the Super 15?

 

[Draggs]

Oh dear .... wonder who the Franchise team was in the Super 15?

Waikato Rugby Union/Chiefs was the most mentioned.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Pity he's staying with Wales, I think he's a huge asset.

 

[Draggs]

He certainly has alot of potential and knows how to get the best out of the Welsh players (2008 season), but can make poor selections.
Warren is really the best coach for Wales right now, as I can't think of any immediate successor.
Next year will tell.

 

[dullonien]

That's some interesting information. And it now makes me very pleased that he's signed a new four year deal. With the clause in there if Wales don't perform in the WC (i.e. fail to progress from the group stages) then he'll probably go, but otherwise he can stay giving Wales much needed continuity. I'm quite intrigued by the possibility of Gatland coaching the U20 WC squad (although he'll obviously choose the Lions if they come a calling). That would be great for the U20's imo, as it would give them an idea of how the senior squad is run, and would give Gatland a chance to see first hand what the next level of players are like, possibly promoting a couple who are good enough.

Gatland is obviously interested in improving the level of rugby throughout Wales, at all age groups, not just getting results at senior level, and that's a great thing imo. He got involved with the North Wales regional plans, and the reformation of the A-team. Senior results obviously matters, but he realises that for long term success more needs to be done.

 

[Larksea]

gatland used to coach my highschool team, that was back when he was still playing though before the professional era. Was interesting because he didn't say much but everyone was silent and we did what ever the hell he said as best we could.

He's obviously a very good coach. I think his NZ public opinion took a dive when he blew his mouth off a few times when he should have kept it shut. NZ are used to the humble and careful voice of uncle ted now and seeing gatland pointing fingers and tossing his toys out of the cot when he didin't get what he wanted - didn't sit well over here I think.

But he seemed to shut his gob a bit over the last year or so. And word was about that he was looking for a return to NZ - that and the fact Foster is looking to move on. Seemed like he may end up in the job he wanted before going overseas - at the chiefs or putting in an application for the AB's job.

Though as with any good NZ coach that want to coach the AB's robbie Deans included. They may have claws in their contracts that get them out if they are offered the All Blacks coaching job.

For sure come 2012 the AB's coaching role will be up for grabs. Would be good to have all the best options available.

 

[MichaelBoard]

Ultimately he should be judged on how Wales perform in the World Cup. I think this is fair because he will have had a long time come the World Cup to mold a squad capable of competing with the best and this is where he should be judged