3 hours Ago By [email protected] (Dylan James)
Your morning rugby headlines on Sunday, November 24. Gatland to be grilled by WRU The Welsh Rugby Union will launch a review into Wales' awful autumn campaign in the coming days. WalesOnline understands Warren Gatland and his senior coaches will be grilled about the performances and development of the young squad as part of the review, before any decisions are made on his future.
Gatland is likely to face questions about decisions surrounding tactics, selection and general decision-making. Gatland has indicated he will not resign from his position as head coach despite losing 12 Tests in a row, with WRU CEO Abi Tierney, chairman Richard Collier-Keywood and executive director of rugby Nigel Walker looking to be convinced the Kiwi can find a way of turning things around amid widespread off-field problems. It comes as the WRU's five-year strategy, which was scheduled to be announced this autumn, remains at the negotiation stage with the four Welsh regions.
At its heart is the Union's desire for more control over the best Welsh players, something the regions are not keen to relinquish unless the terms and funding they receive are appropriate. Asked if he was happy with what he was hearing about the negotiations behind the scenes, Gatland said: "I think so. There’s been negotiations going on.
They haven’t concluded yet, but some of the things the Union are trying to put in place will definitely make a change, depending on how radical those things are and how much influence we’re going to have to help implement those things. It’s a case of negotiations continuing. Hopefully those things get put in place.
" Siya Kolisi gives classy Wales speech Springboks captain Siya Kolisi has yet again provided words of wisdom for Wales in their lowest ebb. Kolisi played at blindside flanker for the world champions as they defeated Wales 45-12 in Cardiff on Saturday night, and despite it being a 12th straight Test loss for Warren Gatland's nation, the South Africa skipper reassured Wales fans. "It's weird, because we were there a couple of years ago," explained Kolisi to Sam Warburton, Jamie Roberts and presenter Craig Doyle on TNT Sports.
"The only thing I can say is that you just can't stop. You can't stop believing. If you look at the starting backline, I think one of our guys had more caps than everybody.
You've got to be realistic. "Some of the guys are getting their first few caps. It takes time to build, as long as they keep working hard and keep on believing that things will change.
Next year they will be a little bit more experienced and they can give a bit more. "I'm so grateful (for fans), they still come out and support them. Wales is a proud rugby nation, like us in South Africa.
We have so much respect for the Welsh and that's why we made sure we put our best team on the field and we gave everything for them. "I have no doubt that they will pick it up." Get the latest breaking news sent directly to your phone with our free WhatsApp service here.
We must keep the faith, says skipper Wales captain Dewi Lake says Wales must keep the faith following their loss against the Springboks. Suffering another disappointing defeat as captain of Wales, Lake spoke to TNT Sports after the game. Despite the defeat, he remained optimistic after going head-to-head with the best team on the planet.
Wales scored a try right before the break through Rio Dyer, before bagging another in the dying stages thanks to James Botham. the latter effort showed the resilience and determination to keep pushing when the game was lost, which is something Lake admired about his team. "They are double world champions, that's not for no reason.
I think we showed a lot of heart and a lot of character in parts of that game," he said. "Thank you to all the fans for coming out and still supporting." Wales conceded 15 penalties throughout the match, with many of those coming in the first half alone.
"We're probably just not there yet as a group, discipline in areas has cost us again," continued Lake. "They are a dangerous team when they get into that 22 and are tough to stop when they're rolling onto the ball. I can't question the effort, that's for us to go and look at and work on.
"We have to keep the faith, the second we lose our faith in ourselves then it's pointless us stepping on the field, we can definitely see a light at the end of the tunnel." Fiji boss claims star escaped red card due to ‘wearing green jersey’ By Ed Elliot, PA, Dublin Fiji head coach Mick Byrne suggested Ireland fly-half Sam Prendergast escaped an early red card during his side’s 52-17 defeat in Dublin because he was playing for the home team. Rookie number 10 Prendergast, who was making his first Test start, was sent to the sin bin by referee Hollie Davidson in the eighth minute at the Aviva Stadium after leaning a shoulder into Kitione Salawa.
Shocked Fiji co-captain Tevita Ikanivere was heard exclaiming, ‘what?’ on Davidson’s microphone following the decision not to upgrade the yellow card on review. While Byrne was also unhappy with the judgement, Ireland boss Andy Farrell felt the original punishment was “harsh enough”. Asked if he was expecting Prendergast to be ordered to stay off, Byrne said: “Aw no, he was wearing a green jersey so it stayed yellow.
” Prendergast, 21, returned to set up the first of Mack Hansen’s two tries and also slotted five of his seven conversion attempts. Captain Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Craig Casey, Bundee Aki, debutant Gus McCarthy and Ronan Kelleher also claimed tries for the dominant hosts. Farrell said: “I get why it is (a yellow) but, to me, he turned his back and it’s harsh enough.
I’ll have to have a look at it again but that’s the game, isn’t it? “I thought our discipline was pretty good in general. “He (Prendergast) had a few mistakes within his game but he was pulling the strings for a good while, and he was really, really composed.”.
