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Wales' 10th straight defeat gives the sense that things are beginning to unravel as Jamie Roberts SLAMS 'worst era' team and former players call for Warren Gatland to leave Defeat against Fiji means Wales have now lost a startling 10 consecutive games Former star Jamie Roberts is amongst those justifiably critical of the regime Warren Gatland is now facing calls from some former Wales players to resign By ALEX BYWATER Published: 18:48 EST, 11 November 2024 | Updated: 18:49 EST, 11 November 2024 e-mail View comments Among the recriminations of a 10th straight Wales Test defeat , a media blame game, and a quite frankly farcical substitution mess, one quote stood out. It came from the decorated former Wales and British & Irish Lions centre Jamie Roberts, who had a long and successful career playing under the country’s current coach Warren Gatland . ‘It's the worst Wales have ever been in the professional era,’ Roberts told S4C, taking the sort of direct approach he used to use on the field as a powerhouse centre.
‘He (Gatland) says they're growing as a group, but I have to disagree to be honest. I get the spin Warren wants to put on it. I'm sorry, I don't think Wales have moved forward.
’ Roberts’ comments are highly significant, not only because of the strength of opinion, but also because he is now an independent non-executive director on the Welsh Rugby Union board. Wales are in crisis mode after recording a 10th consecutive defeat after losing against Fiji at the weekend Wales head coach Warren Gatland believes his young team is 'growing' but results show otherwise Former Wales and British & Irish Lions star Jamie Roberts (pictured) was justifiably critical of Wales' latest defeat against Fiji His role means he is fully entitled to his views. Him expressing an opinion on the state of Welsh rugby is not a conflict of interest with his WRU position.
Roberts must thus be applauded for his honesty. However, one wonders if his views are shared elsewhere among Welsh rugby’s corridors of power. If so, it might spell serious trouble for Gatland and his coaching staff.
Wales’ autumn opener with Fiji was a must-win. The Wales national set-up clearly knew it and that is why following a 24-19 defeat, you got the sense that things are beginning to unravel. A run of 10 straight losses is the equal worst in the country’s history.
Gatland said afterwards it was the media controlling the narrative that his position was under threat. However, any coach at sport’s highest level is going to come under pressure when their team is on such a winless run. That has to be accepted.
‘Clearly the way things are for Welsh rugby at the minute and this Welsh team, it cannot continue like this,’ said columnist Dan Biggar on TNT Sports. ‘It can’t go 11,12,13 defeats on the spin without some serious questions being asked. It’s clearly a very rough day for Welsh rugby.
‘Warren has been around the game long enough to known that when he’s the head guy, he can take all the credit when things go well – which they have previously. ‘Clearly, when you’re the boss and things aren’t going so well, the questions fall firstly at his door. There are big questions to answer.
At the moment this Welsh team has made losing a habit.’ Fiji players celebrated emphatically after securing a famous win over Wales at the Principality After Wales 24-19 defeat against Fiji, you got the sense that things are beginning to unravel There are growing calls from some former players for Gatland to leave his role as head coach Another former Wales international who played under Gatland in Mike Phillips has also been critical on social media. Sam Davies, the ex-fly-half, suggested it was time to move on from Gatland.
The previous WRU regime decided to remove former coach Wayne Pivac from his position after home defeats by Georgia and Italy were deemed unacceptable. Wales’ last two matches in Cardiff have seen them beaten by Fiji and Italy. Since returning to replace Pivac at the end of 2022, Gatland has won only six of 22 matches.
It is a success rate of 27 per cent. A penny for Pivac’s thoughts. It is no surprise then that Gatland is facing tough questions.
Those were only exacerbated when he revealed post-Fiji that Wales had substituted on the wrong player after wing Mason Grady suffered an ankle injury which understands is likely to rule him out of the rest of the November series. Crucially, too, Mail Sport also understands scrum-half Tomos Williams faces a race to be fit for Sunday’s game with Australia due to a shoulder problem, though it is hoped he will recover. Gatland previously returned to the Wales set-up to replace Wayne Pivac (pictured) at the end of 2022 Mail Sport also understands scrum-half Tomos Williams faces a race to be fit for Sunday’s game with Australia Williams was treated against Fiji but played on as he is a vital figure for Gatland.
Williams’ fitness wouldn’t have been helped by being brushed off by the giant Josua Tuisova. Against Fiji, Wales had six forwards and two backs on the bench. Gatland said that when Grady was forced off, the plan had been for scrum-half Ellis Bevan to come on.
Instead, Sam Costelow – a fly-half – entered the field. Gatland admitted there had been a serious mix-up, one which raises further questions of his support team, in particular team manager Martyn Williams as substitutions come under his responsibility. ‘It's a gamble when you go with that 6:2 split and unfortunately, we got an injury to Mason early.
We probably couldn't have made things any harder,’ said fly-half Gareth Anscombe. Read More Wales 19-24 Fiji: Warren Gatland's side collapse to record-equalling 10th straight defeat ‘That's something the coaches have looked at. The changes there made a big difference.
Sam, not being a renowned winger, was doing his best, but it probably hurt us a little bit.’ Gatland’s decision to go 6:2 certainly had merit and logic. But with the benefit of hindsight – which, of course, is always 20:20 – he should have ensured he had back three cover on the bench.
Tom Rogers would have been an option instead of Costelow given Ben Thomas, who started at inside centre, could have provided 10 cover for Anscombe. However, it is now too late. That said, the substitute investigation is likely to remain a talking point this week ahead of Wales’ game with a revitalised Australia who will be on top of the world after their thrilling display in victory over England.
‘There are some positives, but ultimately the loss is bitterly disappointing and we'll have to improve next week,’ said Anscombe. Wales’ attack, led by Anscombe, went well in the first quarter. Gatland does have talented players at his disposal who are good, young men and never give up.
However, the brutal truth is that results have to improve. But it is difficult to see where Wales’ next win is coming from. ‘This has got to hurt and it should hurt,’ said Anscombe.
‘I know we've now had 10 losses in a row. We have to find a way to get over the line. It's got to come.
I still think our best performance is good enough to beat Australia next week.’ Fiji Warren Gatland Wales Share or comment on this article: Wales' 10th straight defeat gives the sense that things are beginning to unravel as Jamie Roberts SLAMS 'worst era' team and former players call for Warren Gatland to leave e-mail Add comment.
