Gatland 'not hiding behind anything'
Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:10
Facing the music: Wales head coach Warren Gatland
Wales coach Warren Gatland says he is ready to stand up in the face of media criticism after a disappointing Six Nations campaign, but insists that his squad 'are not too far away' from turning the tide.
Losses to France, Ireland, England and a last-gasp win over winless Scotland has, for the first time, cast doubt on Gatland's successful reign in charge of Wales.
A 2008 Grand Slam triumph elevated the New Zealander to hero status in his adopted home, and despite a disappointing run in 2009, the former Ireland boss still enjoyed the backing of the public.
But cracks in that support have started to show after the wretched run in this year's Six Nations, and the media vultures are starting to circle for the first time in Gatland's two years at the helm.
Gatland knows better than anyone that he is under intense scrutiny, and the famously outspoken coach is ready to tackle the criticism head on.
"People need
to know I'm not hiding behind anything," Gatland told the South Wales Echo, "I'm at the front of it.
"Personally, I don't know any other way to respond to a challenge. I want to show the players how much it means to me."
A coach with a sparkling record - which also includes Heineken Cup and Guinness Premiership titles with Wasps and an NPC title with Waikato - Gatland is unfamiliar with the pressure that comes with losing, and he is hoping he keeps his job for long enough to turn the team's fortunes around.
"I'm very privileged, very honoured and very proud to be coach of Wales," he said, "And I want to continue to do it, but I want to show people I'm passionate about it as well."
"I'm disappointed, I can't stand losing and I want to show them what that means – not just the players, but the other staff involved and the whole set-up,"
"I think it’s important they are aware of that and everyone is aware of
that."
With the World Cup in New Zealand next year, it seems unlikely that the Welsh powers-that-be would take the dramatic step of firing Gatland so soon before the showpiece tournament, but Gatland says that he expects a backlash from a rugby-mad nation like Wales.
"One of the things that I like about Wales is that people are really knowledgeable about the game," he said, "They are opinionated and they deserve the opportunity to express those opinions.
"I could crawl away into my shell and hide away [in the face of criticism].
"But I don't want to do that.
"I'd like to think that, as a player, I was someone who you’d want to be alongside if you were in the trenches,” he continued.
"And I want to try and express that as a coach as well."
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