Wales inquest as Gatland faces 'biggest week'

Wales are 11th in the world rankings

Warren Gatland is facing the "biggest week of his Wales career" as he bids to avoid the worst run of defeats in Welsh rugby history.

Former Wales wing Alex Cuthbert reckons there has never been a must-win game to match Sunday's meeting with Australia.

Not since Steve Hansen was told his job was on the line before the game against Scotland in 2003 has a Wales head coach faced such scrutiny.

Hansen had also lost 10 Tests in a row before temporarily handing the reins to Mike Ruddock for a one-off match against Romania - which an experimental Wales side won - and the future All Black coach remained under pressure back in charge against the Scots three days later.

'Lose and you're out' was the clear message from then Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive David Moffett. Wales did win, 23-9, and Hansen led Wales to the World Cup and beyond.

More than two decades later and Wales are at a crossroads again after a 10th Test loss in a row, with defeat by Fiji.

It was following the only previous loss to Fiji, in 2007, that Gatland was first appointed by Wales but there still appears little appetite within the WRU to wield the axe - yet.

The union has just seen the women's head coach depart, questions remain over the future of executive director of rugby Nigel Walker and severing Gatland's lucrative contract would be costly.

As the run worsens, Gatland becomes more stubborn, blaming the media for the increased pressure. But 10 defeats are 10 defeats.

"You only play eight to 12 Tests a year, so if you're losing them all then you have to accept your job is on the line," Cuthbert told Radio Wales.

"We're in transition but we still had the players to win that game [against Fiji] and we're not seeing progress.

"People will question what's going on, if he's not getting the best out of the team, or it's the preparation, or the gameplan."

Other notable former Gatland favourites, including Jamie Roberts, Dan Biggar and Mike Phillips, have echoed that thought but Cuthbert still backs the head coach to turn things around.

"He has been in this situation before and if anyone can get it right, it's Warren Gatland," Cuthbert said.

"But there's probably no bigger week in his Wales managerial career."

So what must Gatland put right this week?

Discipline

Captain Dewi Lake bemoaned his side's lack of discipline that not only saw a try ruled out but let Fiji off the hook time and again.

Wales conceded 11 penalties as well as Tommy Reffell's yellow card but, tellingly, five of those were while in possession, thwarting several attacks.

Defence

Wales were overpowered by Fiji and were guilty of missing 32 tackles.

But even when they did make the first tackle, Fiji still made 384 post-contact metres - compared to the hosts' 260m - as Wales struggled to contain their opponents.

Losing the physical battle meant Wales were too often on the back foot.

Opportunities

Wales out-scored Fiji three tries to two but still lost

That indiscipline impacted the Welsh attack but no more than individual errors.

Call it rustiness in the first autumn international, but Test rugby is unforgiving.

Wales had 51% of the ball but Fiji made more metres, beat more defenders and made twice as many clean breaks.

Ex-Wales captain Ken Owens said: "Wales forced the ball too much at key moments. Fiji were under pressure at times and Wales should have capitalised far more."

Breakdown

Wales had the best turnover exponent from the Six Nations in Reffell but were utterly out-performed in that area.

Fiji claimed 11 turnovers, to just five by Wales, and was another factor in why the hosts failed to make the most of chances.

Jac Morgan could well return this weekend but will Gatland gamble on playing both his open-side flankers as six and seven against the Wallabies?

Replacements

Gatland had been bullish before kick-off with the strength of his bench but having six forwards and just two backs backfired badly.

It is a tactic often employed by South Africa, and Wales could have got away with it had they not picked two specialists as their substitute backs.

Sam Costelow only covers fly-half so Gatland would surely have been better served with more of a utility option, given Ben Thomas could have stepped in at 10, or at least a back-three option.

Gatland will also need to get to the bottom of why the wrong player was sent on to replace Mason Grady, who looks set to miss the Australia match.

Pressure

It continues to build and despite Gatland attempting to protect the players by taking the brunt of it on his shoulders, the squad are not immune.

Rhys Priestland went through eight defeats in a row in 2012 and 2013.

"It's easy to say forget about the last 10 games and think about next week but when you are on a run like this, the tension increases," the former fly-half told Radio Cymru.

"You worry and things will be very difficult for the boys in camp this week. The shirt will weigh heavy right now.

"Playing for Wales should be a special occasion with everyone looking forward to it, but I'm not convinced all the players feel like that now because of the pressure on them. It will be interesting to see if they can turn it around quickly."

Reasons for hope

There were flashes of how this Wales side can play, not least the opening 20 minutes when they crossed the line three times.

Ben Thomas and Max Llewellyn complimented each other with a mix of brains and brawn, Blair Murray took his debut try well and Cam Winnett was Wales' liveliest player.

The line-out showed a marked improvement with a 100% return from 18 throws with Taine Plumtree, also the game's leading tackler, offering a third option.

Morgan was dynamic off the bench, carrying well and looking to create something, and will surely start on Sunday.