by Warren Gatland will “let the dust settle” on Wales’ horrific autumn before considering his future as head coach. His team suffered its 12th consecutive defeat, losing 45-12 to South Africa. Gatland said he wanted to speak to his family and his bosses at the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) before making a decision. For its part, the WRU has undertaken to call on two independent experts to help it carry out an end-of-season review, which will decide whether Gatland will remain in office if he does not resign first.
Related: South Africa condemns Wales to 12th consecutive defeat, leaving Gatland on the brink
Gatland has not denied rumors he could take on a different role at the WRU, which would involve him stepping away from the day-to-day running of the team but giving him more influence over overall strategy sport in Wales. He admitted, with a wry smile, that he had discussed it with his wife the morning of the match. “There are a number of things that need to be talked about,” he said. “On the strategy and the agreement with the regions. For a long time there have been problems in the game and the successes we’ve had in the past have covered up those cracks.
The WRU is holding its annual general meeting this Sunday and the union is expected to provide an update on the status of a new agreement with the four regional teams. The idea is that the WRU would increase its funding and assume its debts, in exchange for greater control over its operation. “Negotiations are ongoing and they’re not concluded yet, but some of the things the union is trying to put in place will certainly bring change,” Gatland said. “And there has to be change, I’ve been to board meetings and I’ve talked about how we have to be bold to improve the game.”
Gatland is clear this will not be a silver bullet. “It’s going to take time. But I came away from today thinking that this group of players, if they can replicate that effort and learn from their mistakes, we have some hope moving forward. The question is whether people will have the patience to give you time.”
His family is among the people tested by all of this. He admitted the last few weeks had taken a toll on them. “It’s a challenge in terms of the negativity,” Gatland said. “But I’m motivated to want to be here, we’ve got a good group of men who are only going to get better over the next few months heading into the Six Nations.”
