Beppu (Japan) (AFP)
The long reign of Warren Gatland in Wales has been successful, except in the World Cup: the 2019 edition in Japan is the last chance for a mature team, full of confidence and no longer of time to lose.
Auckland, October 15, 2011. The heart-breaking defeat of France (9-8) in the semifinal ends the first attempt of the New Zealander to head the XV Leek. Eight years later, only Maxime Médard remains among the French protagonists. While Welsh side, they are still five: three-quarters Leigh Halfpenny, George North and Jonathan Davies and second-line Bradley Davies and Alun Wyn Jones.
A captain after Sam Warburton's retirement, Alun Wyn Jones, 34 years old and international since 2006, has just broken the record for a Welsh selection (131 plus 9 capes with the Lions) and the Federation (WRU) has extended his contract until 2021. But he will be 38 years old at the 2023 World Cup in France ...
For Gatland who will return to New Zealand after Japan, for his staff, for Jones but also for Ken Owens (32), Jonathan Davies (31), Halfpenny (30) and others, Japan is certainly the last opportunity to lift the Webb-Ellis trophy.
- The lessons of 2015 -
On Sunday, "It could be our last game (with Gatland), but I hope not," sums up scrum half Gareth Davies. "Alun Wyn is a great captain who speaks very well, I am sure he will mention the fact that this could be the last match of + Gats +" to motivate the troops, "adds N.9.
"There is no second chance after that, it's clear and clear," said assistant coach Neil Jenkins, who failed five times as a player (1995, 1999) and then a technician (2007, 2011, 2015). Beaten in the quarterfinals by South Africa at the last edition, the Welsh had "probably not seized the opportunities, whether tests or shots on goal," regrets the former opener, now in charge of the individual technique.
For Ken Owens, the Welsh Dragons had mostly paid a series of injuries in the group stage. "So it's great that everyone came out unscathed" this time, he says. Even if there is still uncertainty about the participation of center Jonathan Davies, touched on the left knee against Fiji.
- Experience, stability, trust -
With Englishman Shaun Edwards, former glory of rugby league, Gatland has made the Welsh defense, very aggressive through optimal physical preparation, a world reference. In place for a decade, his staff does not even seem to have suffered the departure of Rob Howley, the deputy suspected of illegal bets and returned to the country just before the start of the tournament.
Built patiently, his team built up confidence in 2019 by achieving the Grand Slam in the Six Nations Tournament, his third under Gatland after 2008 and 2012. "We know exactly what we are trying to achieve and where we want to go" says Owens. "In the team, some now have the experience of big games," says the hooker citing Liam Williams example, recent champion of England and Europe with the Saracens.
Stability is another key element of Welsh success. "Many players have had continuity in the selection and the more you play big matches, the more you know how to prepare, what is expected of you and how to ensure," Owens said.
As a result, the Welsh no longer hide. "There's only one thing we think we can do, and that's winning it," said Liam Williams, who feels part of a "huge team". The back is not about winning the quarterfinals, but the World Cup.
© 2019 AFP