Warren Gatland praises Wales' effort in World Cup Pool D encounter against Namibia – Rugby News
Wales’ national Rugby Union team head coach, Warren Gatland, has praised his side’s efforts in their last World Cup encounter against Namibia. Wales were playing against the Namibians in their
2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) Pool D encounter at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth on Monday, September 26.
Wales delivered a thumping 81 – 7 defeat to the Namibia, after leading the match by 22 points at the half-time. The bonus point victory has provided Wales with an opportunity to end as runners
up in the Pool D and book their spot in the knockout stages of the event.
Gatland confirmed that they were aware that they required a bonus point victory against the Namibia to give themselves a real chance to quality for the knock out stages of the tournament. Gatland
made the comments at the end of their Monday match against Namibia. He said, “We started pretty well, 22-0 up after 15 minutes, but we got a little bit complacent and thought the job was done, thought it was going to be easy.”
Gatland has praised Namibian team’s performance during the initial parts of the game and admitted that they kept them under pressure in the first-half. He added, “We were a lot more effective
in the second half. In this type of game you've got to be patient, it takes a bit of time, and it was pleasing the way we finished.”
Gatland admitted the Wales’ needed to improve their performance at the breakdown and turnovers. He added that he will work with his team to improve these two aspects of the game. However, he
has expressed his delight on his sides attacking display in which they have scored 12 tries in the game.
Gatland has praised the performance of the players given a run in the game from the bench. Particularly he has signaled out the try hat-trick scorer Scott Williams’ efforts in the game.
Wales will play their last pool match of the tournament against the Fiji at Hamilton on Sunday, October 2.
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