Welsh rugby chief wants Gatland to stay
Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Roger Lewis has revealed that he would like to extend the contract of Warren Gatland ahead of important autumn Tests and the World Cup next summer.
Gatland has come in for heavy doses of criticism in the recent past because of his side's failure to make an impression playing the better teams in the Southern Hemisphere.
Wales have been on the end of some disappointing results as they were routinely thumped by New Zealand 42-9 and 29-10. This led many to call for Gatland's head but he will surely be lifted by the faith he is about to be shown.
There are many positives to keeping Gatland as coach and it's important to point out that New Zealand have been dominating the Tri Nations, beating Australia and South Africa.
Positives of keeping Gatland on
Gatland is not a bad rugby coach. His current side are going through a phase of transition and it's important to remember that he created the team that some were calling the best side in Welsh history.
His coaching skills are very good and he is a lot more productive when he's on the field and not in front of the cameras. He talks to players, steps in when he needs to and allows other coaches to coach in areas he has less experience in.
A change now would throw Welsh chances of winning the World Cup up in the air. A new coach would not have much time before the autumn tests with New Zealand and Australia and if those go badly then the pressure will be firmly on the WRU administration.
Lewis said: "The certainty is that Warren is with us through to the World Cup. Now, leading up the World Cup, we will need to be considering what (happens) after the World Cup and everyone knows my support for Warren and what he has achieved."
Kiwi strength
The scale of the task that will shortly be in front of Wales is emphasised by how strong New Zealand have performed in the Tri Nations event currently going on.
The Kiwis have beaten the current World Champions South Africa 32-12 and 31-17 and their old rivals Australia 49-28 and 20-10. It is going to be extremely difficult for the Welsh to match the quality levels of some of the players in the Wallabies and Springbok teams and it could mean a few very heavy defeats for Wales in their own back yard.
Gatland does have a number of qualities as coach but the All Blacks have momentum heading towards the autumn. They will try and maintain this due to the fact of the World Cup next summer. Wales will have to work out ways of stopping them playing during games.
Lewis added: "I want a winning coach and I believe what Warren has delivered so far is outstanding for Wales, so that gives you a glimpse of my support for Warren - He has two teenage children and we need to be mindful of that. It is not just a question of what we want but also what he wants, how it fits in with his career and life as well. We must get what is right for Wales but Warren as well."
Betting advice
Wales are not changing their coach and this is a very positive issue. They stand a much better chance of winning in the autumn, winter and next summer by keeping Gatland in his role.
He is not the perfect coach but all coaches have weaknesses. He has shown in the past that his players and staff thrive on momentum and this would be risked were he not offered a contract extension to keep him on for the foreseeable future.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-1300669/WRU-determined-extend-Warren-Gatland-contract.html#ixzz0wBIMJWpD
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