By Callum Buckle
“We’ll see what happens over the next couple of days” was the response of the Wales head coach Warren Gatland as questions surrounding his future in the job continue to swirl.
While Saturday’s heavy defeat to South Africa was not unexpected, a 12th loss in a row, to extend a record run of defeats, did nothing to ease the pressure on beleaguered Gatland.
South Africa were totally dominant and scored seven tries via seven different scorers. It could have been more if not for a spirited defensive performance in spells from the hosts.
Gatland said: “I’d only be human if I said the last few weeks have been challenging and tough. Now after each game, (I ask) what could we have done better? What could I have done better in that week in terms of the preparation?
“So we’ll see what happens over the next few days, I’ll go and check with the powers that be and talk to family also.”
Gatland was asked about a potential move upstairs with the WRU, or to a developmental role.
He laughed, saying: “My wife said that to me this morning. There’s a number of things….hopefully there’s been talk about strategy and that relationship and a deal to be done with the regions.
“For a long time I think there has been a couple of issues within the game.”
Focusing on the game itself, Gatland said: “It was really tough.
“I cannot question how hard our players tried out there. I think they gave absolutely everything and for some of these youngsters and inexperienced players, they’ll learn massively from their game tonight.
“Hopefully they’ll be better for that the next time.
“I think we were disappointed with the result. We played against the world champions. You know how clinical they are and how effective they are, and the power they can bring off of the bench.”
When questioned on where Wales as a rugby nation go now, Gatland said: “It’s amazing what just over 12 months can do.
“You lose all of those caps and all that experience, it has been challenging. So I think, from a union’s perspective, there needs to be an agreement with the regions, and there needs to be some change.
“I’ve gone into board meetings and spoken about us being courageous and being bold about some of the decisions we potentially need to make to help improve the game.
“I think there needs to be investment in the pathways, the academies and (under) 20s programme that should show life blood in terms of the future of the game.”