Wales appoints a caretaker coach – Rugby News update
Warren Gatland, the head coach of the Wales rugby team, will not be undertaking coaching duties on the tour of Australia, as he is still recovering from fractures in both of his ankles. This provides an opportunity to Rob Howley, who has been appointed the
caretaker coach of the team in the absence of Gatland for the tour of Australia.
Rob Howley is considered a legend of Welsh rugby, and is considered as one of the greatest scum-halves to have graced the sport. He had an illustrious career, representing Wales 59 times, and 22 of those occasions were as captain. After impressing as an
assistant to Gatland at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, the Welsh Rugby Union were quick to tie him down till at least 2016.
Serving as the interim head coach for the tour of Australia which starts on June 9, Howley has another opportunity to prove that he has matured as a coach and can be groomed to take over the role of head coach in the near future.
This fact was not lost on Roger Lewis, the chairman of the WRU as he said, “The appointment of Rob Howley as caretaker coach is deeply significant for our long term succession planning. Rob has the total support of all of us at the WRU. This is an opportunity
for us all...”
His appointment as interim coach was made with the assent of Gatland and a statement released by the WRU read, “Gatland has declared his full approval of the decision which was taken during discussions with WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis about his
prognosis for recuperation and recovery over the weeks ahead.”
Howley will be taking care of all aspects of the team, but the Kiwi coach will be in constant touch with Howley, and the WRU believes that Gatland will be able to provide the support role for the second and third tests, which are scheduled to be played on
the Saturday, 16 June and Saturday, 23 June.
Rob himself was in high spirits and is looking forward to win in Australia. He said, "I will give 100% of my effort to ensuring we are fully prepared to meet the challenges and take the great opportunities which lie ahead in this summer series."
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