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Gatland focused on now

Warren Gatland insists his focus is firmly on getting Wales primed for next year's World Cup despite admitting he had a 'few options on the table' for his career after next year's tournament in New Zealand.

Monday, 28 June 2010

Sportal.co.nz

Warren Gatland insists his focus is firmly on getting Wales primed for next year's World Cup despite admitting he had a 'few options on the table' for his career after next year's tournament in New Zealand.

The New Zealander, who has been in charge of Wales since November 2007, was back in his home town of Hamilton for the second Test against the All Blacks and has been linked with the Chiefs Super rugby coaching job which will become vacant when Ian Foster's deal ends after next year's first edition of the Super 15.

Gatland's contract with Wales expires next year but when asked about his career beyond 2011 after Wales' 29-10 loss at Waikato Stadium on Saturday, the 46-year-old former hooker said it was not something he was concerned or worried about.

"I do have a few options on the table at the moment and I'm sure things will pan out between now and the World Cup," he said.

When pressed further about the Chiefs job, the former Waikato provincial coach replied: "It's not something I've particularly though about. At the moment my whole focus is on Wales and Wales doing the best that we can in 2011."

"That's the most important thing in my mind and it's not thinking about myself or my future because I'm committed to doing a really good job for Wales. That's hugely important for me."

The Wales coach saw an improved effort from his side in the second Test on his old stomping ground after the capitulation the week before in the 42-9 defeat at Carisbrook, Dunedin.

But it still was not enough to keep the All Blacks at bay as they ran in tries by Cory Jane and Aaron Cruden, while Dan Carter (17 points) and Piri Weepu (two) contributed the rest of the points with the boot.

Aside from losing captain Ryan Jones to a leg injury in the 25th minute Wales had two players sent to the sin bin and New Zealand one in a scrappy game that lacked the free-flowing rugby of the previous week until late in the piece.

Lee Byrne was shown a yellow card in the dying stages of the first half for lifting Tom Donnelly in a tackle then Gavin Thomas and All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock were left to cool off with nine minutes of the game remaining after Thomas retaliated to being pulled back by Whitelock.

But it was the ill-discipline at the start of the second half that proved to be the most costly when Carter turned a 13-3 lead at the break into a 22-3 advantage after kicking three successive penalties following a Jonathan Thomas shoulder charge on Brad Thorn, Mike Phillips straying offside and Adam Jones putting his hand in the ruck.

It left Wales chasing the game but unlike the previous week, they dug deep and were rewarded with a good try to Jamie Roberts in the latter stages of the game - the first time since Martyn Williams in 2006 that Wales had got a try against the All Blacks.

For all that it was still a result that rankled with the players, particularly as Roberts and Jonathan Davies were denied tries due to some staunch defending by the All Blacks before the Welsh inside centre forced his way over.

"The score line is a bit better but we came here to win and we haven't come away with the win," said wing Leigh Halfpenny.

"We are very disappointed that we haven't been able to win. It's the same sort of errors - a lot of turnovers in key moments - and we didn't take our chances. That was the same story as last week.

"We know the work we've got in front of us and where we are at the moment and where we need to get to in order to be competing with these guys and going on to beat them."

Halfpenny agreed after going three games without scoring a try against the All Blacks that Roberts' 78th minute effort was something to savour.

"It shows that we can put the All Blacks under pressure and the way we attack is dangerous," the Cardiff Blues player added.

"When we kept the ball we put them under pressure and the try did come in the end and that was a massive boost for us psychologically.

"We can take a lot out of this performance however disappointed we are. We will take the positives out of it and look forward to next season now. We know where we need to get to and this series has been great for us as a learning curve and for us to realise where we're at.

"Hopefully all the boys will gain a lot of experience from this and learn a lot in order for us to come here for the World Cup and compete with the best."

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