Fitzpatrick laments Gatland's loss
Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:00
Good on you mate: Sean Fitzpatrick
Legendary All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick has hailed Wales coach Warren Gatland for his influential role with the British and Irish Lions for the recent tour of South Africa but he's disappointed he got away from New Zealand.
Gatland had stints with Ireland and Wasps before returning to New Zealand to coach Waikato, but he couldn't get Super 14 coaching job and was subsequently recruited by the Welsh Rugby Union.
Fitzpatrick says that he was surprised when Gatland was overlooked for a Super 14 job and he belives New Zealand' loss is now Wales' gain.
"Gats is one that got away [from New Zealand] really. I was very surprised that New Zealand let him go, basically," Fitzpatrick told BBC.
"I'm disappointed he got away from New Zealand, but I'm thrilled for Gats. He went back to New Zealand to settle there and unfortunately couldn't get a Super 14 contract and came back over here.
"So it's a great opportunity for him. I think what he's done, he's instilled a bit of belief in these guys. They need to be fit, they need to be strong, they need to look like rugby players and they can win and they've shown that under his coaching.
"He's had a tremendous career to date as a coach, albeit a very young and very short career, but he's got a huge ability and he's a good man manager too.
"So he obviously did well on the Lions and I'm sure he's going to continue to do well for Wales.
The former All Black skipper also lauded Wales' front-row for their outstanding performance against South Africa during the recent British and Irish Lions tour. The Lions turned to Matthew Rees and Adam Jones after the first Test defeat.
"I look at that Welsh front row of [Gethin] Jenkins, [Matthew] Rees and Adam Jones. It's a pity they didn't start the first Test."
Gatland his long-term rival during their playing days, for his role with the Lions and Wales.
He also praised half-backs Mike Phillips and Stephen Jones,
"Those three [Welsh front-row players] especially [stood out for me] and we saw that especially when Jones came on and Rees played well - he's not the biggest of hookers - but he gets around and does the job.
"Your nine-10 pairing's fantastic. I thought Jones did really well at 10 under a huge amount of pressure"
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