Gatland looking past Boks: 'We can do something pretty special at this World Cup'
INTERVIEW: Wales coach Warren Gatland admitted he is planning for some short-term success and the World Cup is his target.
That means he is looking past South Africa, whom they host in a warm-up match in Cardiff on Saturday.
The Welsh Rugby Union is expecting Gatland to turn around Wales’ fortunes and lead them towards the 2027 World Cup.
Nigel Walker, the Welsh Rugby Union’s interim Chief Executive, hailed Gatland this week.
New Zealander Gatland is eight months into his second stint as Wales head coach, after replacing Wayne Pivac and he is preparing for a fourth World Cup at the helm during September and October, having masterminded semifinal appearances in 2011 and 2019.
Wales finished fifth in the Six Nations last season, while Gatland inherited a squad that lost nine out of 12 Tests last year.
“The contract is a five-year contract,” Walker said.
“There is a clause [believed to be after the World Cup in France], but I cannot see any circumstances whereby we would invoke that clause.
“We feel we have one of the best coaches in the world, if not the best. I am confident Wales will do well in the World Cup.
“It’s a long-term project, and from what I’ve seen, Warren is quite capable of turning around the fortunes of Wales.”
Asked for his reaction to Walker’s comments, Gatland said: “I am just focusing on the short term.
“I have never been a person who thinks long-term too much in terms of my own personal situation.
“I am a great believer in what will be, will be.
“I have already said that the work this group has done and strides we have made.
“I think we can do something pretty special at this World Cup, and I honestly believe that.
“If that happens, then those other things take care of themselves.”
Wales complete their World Cup warm-up schedule on Saturday by tackling South Africa, and they will be without British and Irish Lions Liam Williams and Dan Biggar.
Both players had been selected to start the game in Cardiff, but have been withdrawn as a precautionary measure.
They lost a third player when wing Alex Cuthbert withdrew on Friday.
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The Welsh Rugby Union said that fullback Williams has a tight hamstring, with Biggar suffering from back irritation. Cuthbert was withdrawn as a precaution due to calf tightness.
Cai Evans is promoted from the replacements’ bench to make his Test debut as Williams’ replacement, while Sam Costelow takes over from flyhalf Biggar. Tom Rogers will start at wing.
“Both Williams and Biggar, if we pushed them hard, could play on Saturday, but the decision was made there is no point taking a risk at this stage,” Gatland said.
“If this was a World Cup semifinal, Dan Biggar would have been fine for the weekend.”
Forwards Dewi Lake and Taine Plumtree, who were injured during Wales’ narrow defeat against England at Twickenham last weekend, are on course to be available for the World Cup opener against Fiji in Bordeaux on September 10.
Saturday’s clash in Cardiff is a last chance for players to impress Gatland, who will announce his 33-strong World Cup squad within 48 hours of the final whistle.
“There is an opportunity for players on Saturday. We will come back as a coaching group after the game and finalise the squad,” Gatland said.
“We are confident that those players carrying injuries are going to be available for the first game against Fiji.
