'It's challenging' - Gatland considers Wales future after record loss

Warren Gatland has been head coach of the British and Irish Lions on three occasions

Autumn Nations Series: Wales v South Africa

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 23 November Kick off: 17:40 GMT

Coverage: Live on S4C, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, live text and commentary on the BBC Sport website and app

Wales head coach Warren Gatland will consider his future after meeting Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) bosses in the Principality Stadium changing room following a record defeat against Australia.

The 61-year-old said he agreed to "whatever the best decision is for Welsh rugby" following questions over whether he will stay in the job.

His side suffered a record 11th successive Test match defeat as the Wallabies demolished them 52-20 in Cardiff to ramp up the pressure on Gatland.

That loss meant Wales have slumped to an all-time results low with the consecutive defeats.

Gatland said he spoke to WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood and executive director of rugby Nigel Walker after the game.

"Whatever the best decision is for Welsh rugby is, I'm more than comfortable with that," he revealed.

"If that's about me going and that's the best decision, then make the decision. We'll talk about that and make that together."

Second-stint woe

Just over a year after beating Australia 40-6 in the World Cup, Wales were left to reflect on conceding 50 points to them for a first time at home and the most the Wallabies have scored against Wales in Cardiff.

Gatland has now presided over 17 losses from 23 Tests during his second stint at the helm after replacing Wayne Pivac in December 2022.

Wales have not won an international in more than 13 months and slipped to a lowest position of 11th in the world rankings.

"There's so much negativity around the game in terms of what's been happening on and off the field," said Gatland.

"What I care about massively is Welsh rugby and the future of the game."

Gatland questioned whether a change in personnel would affect the flagging fortunes of Welsh rugby.

"If you're going to change me, who are you going to get to come in and how are they going to make a change?" he added.

"Maybe making a change will help mitigate some of the negativity because it will deflect things and the focus will be on something else.

"But will it improve the game? Are you going to find the right person to do something else?

"Or are we better off sticking our head down, ploughing on and hopefully putting some things in place that can hopefully make some improvements at regional level and in the pathway, which can benefit us."

'Do I still need this?'

Gatland had received a lot of criticism in the build-up to the Australia game from former players.

He admitted he had questioned whether he needed the hassle and would talk about his position with his family, but insisted he still had the ambition to continue.

"It's challenging at the moment, the most challenging it has been," admitted Gatland.

"It's probably taking in a little bit of today and reflecting on some stuff.

"I'll have a chat with a few people about what happens from here, with my wife - we have made lots of sacrifices as a family.

"I wouldn't be human if I didn't ask myself some questions, but I do it because I love being involved in the game. I have so many good memories of my time in Wales and the people and the friends I've made.

"I am incredibly proud of what we've achieved in the past, particularly in terms of World Cups."

Legacy issues

During his first 12-year period in charge, Gatland masterminded World Cup semi-final appearances, Six Nations titles and Grand Slams.

The New Zealander, who led Wales to the World Cup quarter-finals last year, was asked whether he thought his legacy had been tarnished by returning.

"I’ve been back for two years, I would say one of the years, with what we achieved in the World Cup, was reasonably successful," said Gatland.

"There were a lot of people who were predicting for the World Cup we wouldn’t get out of our group, saying we weren’t good enough to do that.

"We ended up winning the group and should have made a semi-final. We were gutted.

"The last 12 months hasn't been successful. We've lost a lot of experience and we know there's a rebuilding phase to go through."

No respite in sight

World champions South Africa arrive in the Welsh capital next Saturday.

Wales then face a ferociously tough Six Nations opener against France in Paris on 31 January.

This suggests there is no immediate end in sight to such a miserable run and Gatland admitted he was unsure whether he expected to be in charge for the Springboks match and the subsequent Six Nations campaign.

He insisted, though, the Wales squad would be determined to turn things around next weekend.

"When you're involved in professional sport, those are the challenges that define you as an individual," said Gatland.

"When you get out in that arena, you've got a lot of people looking at you. It's how you front up to the challenge.

"You can bury your head in the sand, walk away or you can roll your sleeves up and block up the white noise. Hopefully, we will put on an improved performance that shows some character against the world champions."

Gatland gave an impassioned message to Wales fans following the Australia defeat.

"We're really hurting from today," he said.

"The supporters have been brilliant with the support they've given us over the years.

"We probably let them down a little bit. So we need to go out next week and make amends by putting a performance in they can be proud of."