Gatland comfortable with questions on his future

Head coach Warren Gatland led Wales to three Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-finals in his first 12-year stint in charge

Autumn Nations Series: Wales v Australia

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Sunday, 17 November Kick off: 16:10 GMT

Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Sounds; live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app

Head coach Warren Gatland says he is comfortable with any decision about his future as Wales hope to avoid an unwelcome piece of history on Sunday against Australia.

Wales slumped to a record-equalling 10th successive Test match defeat last weekend as Fiji claimed a 24-19 Autumn Nations Series victory in Cardiff.

The latest defeat matched the run of Test losses set in 2002 and 2003 under Gatland's fellow New Zealander Steve Hansen, with Wales hoping not to slip to an 11th successive loss this weekend.

Gatland was asked whether he thought his Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) bosses still had confidence in his Wales team project.

"I'm probably not the person to ask in terms of those questions but I've been clear I'm comfortable with the decisions we've made," said Gatland.

'More pain than I thought'

Gatland's side have not tasted international success since beating World Cup pool stage opponents Georgia in October 2023 and have slipped to a lowest position of 11th in World Rugby's rankings.

This wretched run includes Wales finishing bottom of the Six Nations for the first time in 21 years, summer defeats against South Africa and Australia, and now a first loss against Fiji in Cardiff.

"We've tried to point out from the outset we need to go through some pain. I didn't think there'd be this much pain," said Gatland.

"There have been games where we haven't been able to get over the finishing line and some close fixtures.

"If a decision is made in terms of what you're talking about [Gatland's future], I'm more than comfortable with that. I've been around the game for long enough.

"I'll probably go back to the beach, have a glass of wine and enjoy myself away from some of the pressure!"

Since replacing Wayne Pivac and returning for a second stint as Wales head coach in December 2022, Gatland has won six out of 22 games.

The New Zealander was asked whether he would consider making the decision to leave himself if negative results continued.

"I haven't thought about it, we will see what happens. It is not in my mind at the moment," said Gatland.

Former players criticise Gatland

Jamie Roberts (left) and Mike Phillips (right) were both members of the Wales 2015 World Cup squad

Gatland was asked on Sunday whether he thought his position was under threat and responded by citing a negative media narrative.

He has since seen former players criticise his side following the Fiji defeat such as Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips and Dan Biggar, while Wales fly-half Sam Davies has stated "it is time for a change".

Gatland said: "I never have been critical of anyone having an opinion.

"I encourage people to have an opinion. That's always healthy for the sport."

Roberts claims Wales are the worst they have ever been in the professional era and that they are not moving forward. He also did not agree with Gatland's positive "spin" after the Fiji defeat.

The former Wales centre is a WRU board member after being appointed as a non-executive director in November 2023.

Gatland does not believe there is a conflict of interest.

"I don't have any issues with it, he is paid to do a job from a punditry point of view," said Gatland.

"I know there are a couple of people who have contacted him and sent him messages and said he was a bit out of line, but that's their opinion as well."

Phillips, who made 99 international appearances for Wales and the British and Irish Lions, wrote on social media he thought Gatland should go, and criticised the way the coach had treated him and other players at the end of their careers.

"I hadn't seen the comments, my son rung me about them and was probably more upset about them than I was," said Gatland.

"Phillsy [Mike Phillips] was a great player for Wales, probably one of the best to pull on the Welsh jersey.

"Probably some of the things that have happened to him have been a little bit sad. I take some of those comments with a little bit of a grain of salt."

Happy to take the pressure

Wales have lost all nine international matches in 2024 so far

Gatland insists he is happy fielding the criticism rather than it being aimed at his squad.

"I am comfortable with the pressure so keep writing about me," he said.

"If you leave the players alone, that allows them to be more relaxed.

"We have not thrown in the towel in any way.

"I am not happy with where we are at the moment and there is pressure. It's a pressure potentially I don't like, but I'm not uncomfortable with it because I understand where we are.

"We can only continue to work as hard as we've been doing and hopefully we'll get across the line."

Meanwhile, Gatland believes Wales can see the long-term benefits.

"I believe in what we are doing 100%," he added.

"The conviction is there and if the conviction is there, it probably takes away a little bit of some of the noise coming towards us.

"My job is making sure we're all on the same page as coaches and develop some confidence and self-belief in the players in what we're doing.

"The positive vibes I'm getting back now, the players haven't lost confidence."