Warren Gatland believes the current Welsh team is better than the 2008 Grand Slam side
Welsh coach Warren Gatland believes that Wales are a far more formidable side than they were when they won the Grand Slam in 2008.
Wales have lost both of their Autumn International matches. They were defeated 16-25 by Australia in their opening Test on 6 November and lost to South Africa 25-29 after leading for much of the game.
Speaking at a press conference, Gatland said, "Everyone talks about Wales winning the Grand Slam in 2008. I honestly believe this team is better now.”
The Welsh coach admitted that his side must bounce back against Fiji and show that they can finish teams off.
"We need to be ruthless against Fiji. We have been self-critical this week about our failure to close out matches when the finishing line might be in sight, no less than was evident against South Africa,” said Gatland.
The Welsh team will be aiming to demonstrate that they have what it takes to beat one of the big southern hemisphere teams.
Wales has only managed to beat Australia once since Gatland took over as the Welsh coach in 2007 and he admitted that they should not have allowed South Africa to come back against them and record a win.
"It would have been nice to have been able to have a celebration on Saturday night with a great victory other than coming off being really disappointed. So close and yet so far away,” said the Welsh coach.
However, Gatland believes that his team will prove that they are better than the Welsh side that won the Grand Slam and the coach has targeted the World Cup to prove that is the case.
"I think if you are looking at the overall development of this team we are on the right track in what we are showing. The whole thing has been working to the long-term goal of getting some depth and talent, and performing well in the World Cup," said Gatland.
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