Tokyo (AFP)
Warren Gatland hopes to have "restored his credibility" in Wales on the international stage during his twelve years as coach, he said Friday after his last match at the head of the selection , a defeat against New Zealand in the World Cup (40-17).
"I hope that through what we have achieved in the last 10-12 years, we have gained respect and renewed international acclaim in Wales and that new coaches (including coach Wayne Pivac (Editor's note) are going to build on this, because after what we have done, it would be heartbreaking if Wales fell into a slump, "the New Zealander told reporters after the match for the 3rd lost place against the All Blacks in Tokyo.
"It's not a matter of being greedy for winning the Six Nations Tournament every year, but behaving well and, why not, win a few Tournaments, compete as much as possible with other major nations. We feel we have achieved this and we really want Wales to continue on this path, "added Gatland.
Arriving at the end of 2007, he led the Leek XV twice in the World Cup semifinals (2011 and 2019) and four titles in the Six Nations Tournament, including three Grand Slams to the key (2008, 2012 and 2019).
- An "exemplary" group -
Prior to joining the Waikato Chiefs in the Super Rugby Country and leading the British and Irish Lions in 2021 for their tour of South Africa, Gatland highlighted the pleasure he had to work with Welsh players.
"(I remember) their attitude, it's a good group to work with, exemplary in the way they took over Japan, and they never complained about hard training," said Gatland.
"If you ask them to run to a wall, then they will ask what they have to do to go the other way, so a small nation really has to work very hard because they do not have the same pool of players than the others, so we have to get the most out of it, wring it out, that's how we got results, "added the New Zealander, who" tried not to be overrun by the emotion "before his last meeting.
© 2019 AFP