Warren Gatland called on the Welsh Rugby Union to back him or sack him after Wales were beaten 52-20 by Australia in their record 11th consecutive defeat.
Gatland added he would be “comfortable” no longer being head coach if it was the “best decision” for Welsh rugby.
Wales have not won a test since the group stages of last year’s Rugby World Cup and fans left a stadium in the Principality below capacity well before the final whistle as Australia pulled away.
“Whatever the best decision is, and whether it’s making a change to bring some positivity back into the game, I would support it 100 percent. If that means me, I’m comfortable with that,” Gatland said.
Asked if he still had the courage to continue doing his job, Gatland replied: “Absolutely. I do it because I love being involved in the game. I have so many good memories from my time in Wales. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved in the past, especially in terms of the World Cup. It’s a challenge right now. I’m only human so I wonder if this is the right thing to do. But I’m happy to do it.
Gatland revealed he spoke with WRU executive director of rugby Nigel Walker and chairman Richard Collier-Keywood in the dressing room after Sunday’s defeat, but did not know when a conversation would take place with the director General Abi Tierney, adding: “I am always available for conversations.
Asked if he thought he would be in charge of next Saturday’s Test against world champions South Africa in Cardiff, Gatland replied: “I don’t know. I am more than comfortable supporting the best decision the Welsh Rugby Union makes. It’s about talking to the right people and making the right decisions, whether from the union’s perspective or from my family’s perspective.
The men’s national team’s struggles come at a time when the Wales game is facing financial difficulties and has been embroiled in a recent scandal over contract negotiations with the women’s national team, as revealed Telegraph sport.
“Who are you going to bring in?” »
Gatland suggested there were a number of areas where the game in Wales could be significantly improved, telling TNT Sports that “if we want to do things and new strategies, sometimes we’re going to have to be bold and brave to make certain decisions.
Later, insisting what he would change, Gatland claimed that greater access to top Welsh players would help improve fitness to match levels at last year’s Rugby World Cup, when the country of Wales had won their group.
“I’ve said for a long time that there are a number of things the game can improve on,” Gatland explained. “Certainly, from our point of view, it’s about having more influence and potentially a bit more control over the preparation and the players. These are certain structures. I have been very consistent on the number of non-Welsh qualified players and the possibility of reducing them. I’m a big believer in that, but let’s get real world-class quality. They are aware of it. They’re trying to get some of these things in place with the PRB and the regions.
When asked if there was a quick fix to the problems facing football in Wales, Gatland suggested there was no easy solution.
“If you want to change me, like I said, I’m all for doing the best move for Welsh rugby. But who are you going to bring in and how are they going to make a change? Maybe making a change will help alleviate some of the negativity because it will deflect things and the focus will be on something else. But will it improve the game? Are you going to find the right person to do something else? Or is it better for us to put our heads down, persevere, and hopefully put some things in place that can hopefully bring about improvements regionally and in the course, which will hopefully it, could be beneficial to us.