Get Newsletter

'World's best coach' Gatland 'won't leave Wales' - Howley

NEWS: Under-fire Wales boss Warren Gatland is the “world’s best coach” and going nowhere, according to assistant Rob Howley.

ADVERTISEMENT

Debate over Gatland’s position as Wales boss has intensified following a national record run of 11 straight defeats.

Prospects of ending 2024 with a morale-boosting victory look slim given world champions South Africa will be Wales’s opponents in their November international finale in Cardiff on Saturday.

Failure to beat the Springboks would mean Wales had gone through an entire calendar year without winning a Test for the first time since 1937.

Gatland’s first stint in charge of Wales from 2008-19 yielded four Six Nations Championships titles and two appearances at World Cup semifinals.

But since taking over from Wayne Pivac, his fellow New Zealander, for a second spell as Wales coach in 2022, Gatland has presided over just six wins from 23 Tests.

Wales now face a formidable Springboks side fresh from beating England 29-20 at Twickenham last weekend – when Gatland’s men suffered a 20-52 drubbing to Australia.

ADVERTISEMENT

There are now doubts over whether the 61-year-old, will still be in charge when Wales opens their Six Nations campaign against France in Paris on January 31.

But former Wales scrumhalf Howley, who has worked with Gatland for more than 20 years as player and coach, insisted the right man was at the helm.

“We’ve got the best coach in the world who has had a legacy of over 13 years,” Howley said Thursday. “He has won Grand Slams, and there is no better coach to have in your camp than Warren Gatland. He gives players the confidence and self-belief they need to go out and play.

“He is a hugely respected coach and has coached for several years. His legacy with different teams is winning.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Howley added: “I think that at the moment we are in this spell where we are losing and losing. We, at some point, know we will win, and I hope it will be on Saturday.

“I just feel at the moment we’ve got the best coach who has got years of experience.

“He understands rugby, and I believe that Wales have got the best coach in the world to get us out of this.”

Howley, asked if he would be willing to take over as interim head coach should Gatland leave, replied: “Warren Gatland won’t leave.”

Join free

Boks Office | Episode 30 | Christmas Special

AUSTRALIA vs USA behind the scenes | HSBC SVNS Embedded | E04

South Africa v France | HSBC SVNS Cape Town 2024 | Men's Final Match Highlights

HSBC SVNS Cape Town 2024 | Day Two Men's Highlights

South Africa v New Zealand | Rugby World Cup 1995 Final | The Vaults

How did Australia go five in a row? | HSBC Life on Tour

Behind the Scenes | World Rugby Awards

Two Sides - Behind the scenes with the British & Irish Lions in South Africa | E01

Write A Comment