Roberts stands by honest comments on Gatland's Wales

Jamie Roberts won all his 94 Wales caps during Warren Gatland's first stint in charge of the country

Autumn series: Wales v Australia

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

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

Jamie Roberts says he stands by his critical comments about Wales and head coach Warren Gatland following defeat by Fiji.

Former Wales centre Roberts became an independent non-executive director on the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) board in November 2023 and has continued his work as a respected pundit.

He was among the critical voices after the 24-19 defeat last weekend, stating it was the "worst Wales had been in the professional era".

Roberts also said he "understood the spin Warren is trying to give", but did not think Wales "had moved forward".

Gatland insisted he had no issue with Roberts expressing his opinion as a paid pundit, although stated he knew that a couple of people had contacted the former player to say he was out of line.

Roberts responded by saying nobody had contacted him to express such an opinion.

"I am a non-executive with the Welsh Rugby Union and I am an honest pundit," Roberts told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"Those comments were made on the weekend about where Wales sit within the professional era.

"That is objective facts and not an opinion. The bit around Wales and progress, that's my opinion.

"It's never personal and I have a huge amount of respect for Warren and his coaching team, but I won't apologise for making honest comments, that's part and parcel for what we do as pundits.

"I am sure it's water under the bridge for Warren, he has heard far worse."

Respect for Gatland

Jamie Roberts played three Tests on two British and Irish Lions tours

Roberts won 94 Wales caps under Gatland between 2008 and 2017 and was part of two British and Irish Lions tours in 2009 and 2013.

"I have nothing but respect for Warren," said Roberts.

"He has been a wonderful coach for Wales down the years. He is operating in a very difficult time at the moment."

Roberts says Gatland "is very good" at taking the pressure on himself.

"He has been in this game a long time, he plays the game very well with the media off the field," added Roberts.

"There is always pressure and he will be desperate more than anybody to right the wrongs of this calendar year."

Roberts accepts there has been major change in Welsh rugby.

"It has been very turbulent time in the game in Wales and a lot of change happening, a lot of younger players being exposed at this level due to a lot of the older generation retiring en masse," said Roberts.

"It's challenging, but he is fronting it and Warren has come out and said honest discourse about the game in Wales is healthy.

"There are a lot of other people talking about the game in Wales, whether it is me or other players or fans giving honest insight and that's healthy.

"Warren has an opinion of the game as well inside and outside of the changing room and it all adds to the spectacle for fans."

'Wales can beat Australia'

Wales slumped to a record-equalling 10th successive Test match defeat last weekend, with the current sequence matching a run of failures in 2002 and 2003 under Gatland's fellow New Zealander Steve Hansen.

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.

Australia arrive in Cardiff on the back of a spectacular 42-37 success against England and have won nine times from their last 11 visits to the Welsh capital.

Roberts believes Wales can claim victory as the Wallabies have the "psychological" challenge of backing up that win against England.

"This Wales group have a great chance to turn around that losing streak," said Roberts.

"When you reach that emotional high they achieved at Twickenham to back that up a week later can be hard.

"I have no doubt Warren will talk about that psychology with the players this week."

Wales led 14-10 at half-time last weekend and outscored Fiji three tries to two before slipping to the record-equalling defeat.

Roberts added: "The players know that losing run is there, but with the group we have got they have shown so many glimpses of the attack against Fiji.

"If they can do that for 80 minutes against Australia they have a great opportunity because these games are traditionally one-score games.

"Wales can win. People might think I am barking up the wrong tree, but I question whether the Wallabies can repeat that intensity.

"If Warren can harness that energy, Wales have a great chance."