Shane Williams, a Welsh icon, claims that the discussion about Warren Gatland’s future as head coach of Wales should be “a very brief one.”
Gatland, who took over as head coach again last year, has presided over an incredible turnaround. Expectations for the Rugby World Cup weren’t too high after a disappointing Six Nations, but with new players joining the ranks Despite their unfortunate quarterfinal defeat at the hands of Argentina, Wales impressed in France.
Following the game, there were concerns raised over Gatland’s position as manager, with rumours that his contract has a break-clause. However, Williams, who played for the Kiwi, thinks he’s the best choice to guide Wales to the 2027 World Cup.
“The good thing is that what the tournament has done has given Gatland some good building blocks for Australia in four years’ time,” Williams said in his Rugby Paper column.
You won’t hear me quarrel, but there will be doubts about whether he is the right player to lead the squad into a sixth World Cup. He masterfully reassembled a team that has increased in size and has turned around the fortunes of a squad that lacked confidence and self-belief.
“He has a Barbarians game on their return to Wales to look forward to and another Six Nations competition to be ready for. Nobody else could be in a better position to lead this squad forward, and I am confident that any discussion about his future will be light.
“When he spoke about the possibilities of this group, I could sense true excitement in his eyes. Just think about where players like Tommy Reffell, Dewi Lake, Rio Dyer, Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza, and Taine Basham will be in four years. By the time the circus travels to Australia, there are plenty of other players who won’t have passed their prime.
Devastated France scum half Antoine Dupont has criticised New Zealand referee Ben O’Keefe for his performance over a contentious ruling that he feels had a significant influence on South Africa’s thrilling quarterfinal triumph on Sunday night.
The game’s most contentious moment occurred in the seventh minute, when France was already attempting a second try. Eben Etzebeth of South Africa extended a hand, intercepting a critical pass that undoubtedly would have led to a try.
Etzebeth was accused of moving the ball from backward to forward, according to O’Keefe. The Springboks then scored their own try, tying the game at 7-7 rather than the 14-0 advantage Dupont thinks would have been essential.
“Well, what did you think from the outside?” asked Dupont. There is a lot of irritation and disappointment, making it difficult to talk about things. We want to view the photographs once more, which will only make us more frustrated and disappointed. However, I believe that several plain and clear things were unnoticed.
“I don’t want to be a complainy loser, but I don’t think the refereeing today was up to the calibre of the game. I’m not sure if the game was over at that point, but there were times when we should have been awarded a penalty. It’s not hard to whistle until you’ve advanced 60 metres and are being slowed down in the rucks.
“That doesn’t diminish the South Africans’ outstanding performance, where they outplayed us at the breakdown. They excelled in the game.
