Is Warren Gatland the Arsene Wenger of rugby?

Another Welsh loss against New Zealand, and another loss to add to Warren Gatland’s appalling record against the Southern Hemisphere’s 'Big Three'.

Wales fought gallantly in the three tests played on New Zealand soil but came up short once again. But, why do Wales always come up short  Warren Gatland’s record against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia now reads   played 33, won 2. That equates to a 6.1% win ratio.

How much longer can this mediocrity be tolerated  Gatland arrived with the same game plan and skills that he has tried to beat New Zealand with for the last five years. It failed, it was always going to fail. The players matched New Zealand physically but have been let down by the management team.

Gatland wanted players to play a more attacking brand, sadly however his players do not have the required skill. These players have not been up skilled and the Welsh attacking play was as stale as Gatland’s pregame press conferences.

Wales has grown into a competitive team since Gatland took over. Gatland has unearthed some superb talent with the likes of Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Rhys Webb and Sam Warburton. These players have all developed into good international quality players and therein lies the problem. 

The Welsh coaching team have not developed these players any further. They have not enabled them to become world class talents. It is surely time for Gatland to move on. When you have little left to offer a team, you need to make the decision to move on and resign.

The Welsh attack is blunt at best. Wales do not play a brand of rugby that allows for these players to express themselves. Wales play a kick chase style game, and aim to win the territory battle. Once the Welsh have the ball, the Welsh players do not know how to create space. Welsh players rarely beat defenders and seldom offload in the tackle. Welsh players rarely run angles and change direction, with the exception of Jonathan Davies every now and then. It is just all too predictable. Wales do not test defences’ ability to think, they simply play side to side waiting for slipped tackles. In short – Southern Hemisphere teams are too good for that.

The Springboks

Wales would do well to take a page out of South Africa’s book. The Boks seem to want to play a more attacking and exciting brand. This change in mentality almost cost South Africa a series loss against the Irish. The Boks are prepared to forfeit a couple of games in the short term for long term success. The Boks, will only get better. Can the same be said for Wales?

Time up for Gatland

It is time for Gatland and Wales to part ways. Wales need a risk taker, a person who can instil belief into his players, and someone who can give the Welsh players the tools to deconstruct top rugby teams. It is time for someone with fresh ideas, who can change the Welsh tide. Maybe Wales can find some positives after all from #Brexit.

And finally if you don’t believe me, then here are the damning stats from the series.

Points
New Zealand 121
Wales 49

Tries
New Zealand 16
Wales 5

Run Meters
New Zealand 2197
Wales 1218

Tackles Missed
New Zealand 53
Wales 92

These stats are an indictment, a measure of the stagnation and lack of progression of Gatland’s Wales.