Wily operator may let team do the talking

IRELAND v WALES: WARREN GATLAND PROFILE:WARREN GATLAND occasionally embraces the guise of the pantomime villain, from an Ireland rugby perspective. It is his words that define that status. He doesn't have a moustache to twirl, a cape to hide behind or any other cartoonish feature but there is an element of the slapstick "baddie" – based on the historical precedent of sundry comments.

In employing what might be euphemistically referred to as the “sGatty-gun”, he has periodically trained the crosshairs of his verbal broadsides squarely at Irish targets. Those looking for a genesis to his observations will point to the manner of his dismissal as Ireland coach in 2001 following a three-year reign – at the time he expected to have his contract renewed through to the 2003 Rugby World Cup – and the subsequent soured relationships with the IRFU and his successor Eddie O’Sullivan.

While Ireland’s failure at the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Lens – a disappointment that was to be repeated in 2003 and 2007 – in losing a play-off 28-24 to Argentina was a low point in Gatland’s tenure, it’s only fair to examine the other side of the balance sheet.

The New Zealander’s removal followed a run of just five defeats in 17 games and six wins in his last eight matches. His tenure saw Ireland end a 12-year losing sequence to the Scots, a 17-year winless run against the French and a 26-year losing sequence in Paris.

There were also first back-to-back wins over France since 1973, a first win over England in seven years, a first Anglo-French double in the same year since 1983 and a highest finish in 16 years. They should also have beaten New Zealand for the first time in his last match in charge, leading 21-7 in the second half.

His achievement as the youngest ever coach to an Ireland senior team when appointed as a 34-year-old in 1998 came on foot of the impressive transformation of Connacht’s fortunes.

At first Wasps and then Waikato he won three Premiership titles in succession, a European Challenge Cup, a Heineken Cup and an NPC title.

When Gatland agreed to become head coach at Wales on December 1st, 2007, a contract that would initially take him to the 2011 World Cup, it brought him back into close proximity with Ireland once again and, by extension, O’Sullivan.

Circumstances had altered dramatically in that it was the latter under pressure at this point. Ireland’s harrowing failure at the 2007 World Cup and a less than impressive start to the Six Nations ratcheted up the pressure.

Wales won narrowly and after Ireland lost their final match 33-10 to England at Twickenham, O’Sullivan resigned a week later.

Gatland, in contrast, oversaw a Welsh victory over France as the Principality claimed a 10th Grand Slam in the New Zealander’s first season in charge – exactly 100 years after their first.

The fallout between Gatland and O’Sullivan had been played out in print, in book form and newspaper. The media salivated prior to the game at Croke Park (2008) and Gatland threw them the odd verbal sprat. However the following year the New Zealander took what appeared on a superficial level to be a much more confrontational stance to all things Irish as the visitors chased a first Grand Slam in 61 years.

His observation in the build-up that: “probably, out of all the teams in the Six Nations, the Welsh players dislike the Irish the most. Players’ experiences against Ireland haven’t always been the greatest, so they are very motivated”, lit the touch paper.

He followed this up by opining: “Perhaps in future I should take a leaf out of Declan Kidney’s book. That’s probably the way to go in future, and then you get cliches and nothing.”

Ireland were asked to comment and, not surprisingly, refused to dignify the issue with a response.

This though was the same Gatland who, when asked whether Kidney would be a good choice to succeed O’Sullivan the previous year, said: “He’s (Kidney) had a fantastic record going way back with Irish schools and with Munster and I think Declan has done a huge job having won the Heineken Cup a couple of seasons ago.

“I think that’s a huge achievement and they’ve been consistent year after year and I think he could do a great job for Ireland.”

In following a paper trail to Gatland’s pre-match dissertations, there is a theme. He is happy to take the spotlight away from the players and train it on himself if he feels it will alleviate pressure. He is calculatingly indiscreet but is intelligent enough to realise the upshot of poking his finger, so to speak.

Sometimes he does miscalculate. Gatland had misjudged the reaction of the Welsh public and some former players who were horrified by his comments about the players’ disliking their Irish counterparts. He tried to row back a little stating: “I meant it as a compliment. I knew when I said it that it was going to get headlines. It got more of a reaction than I wanted probably. People have reacted rather than just take it with a grain of salt as a back-handed compliment.

“The Welsh players have had some defeats by Munster and Leinster over the last few years, and also some big defeats by Ireland. They’ve had a few verbals and sometimes you can’t say anything and you’ve got to take it, and wait for your opportunity.

“It’s not that they dislike them as individuals; it’s just that they’re a bit more passionate about wanting to beat the Irish at the moment.

“Maybe it has had the desired effect. The great thing about this week is that that’s been the issue; there have been no match-ups, big feature articles on our players.”

But Ireland won, Wales lost and Gatland had magnanimity thrust upon him in the aftermath.

What is fundamentally overlooked is that every other team in the Six Nations has been subjected to the “sGattygun”. It’s not just an Irish thing. This week in the build-up to Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final between the teams he may elect to keep his head well below the parapet.

In the past, outside of one or two issues close to his heart, his tendency to shoot from the lip, can not always but often be traced to an attempt to reposition pressure. His team have played well throughout the tournament and there is no obvious need for him to intervene verbally. The silence could be deafening.

Ireland V Walesgatland’srecord

AS WALES COACH AGAINST IRELAND . . .

March 8th, 2008

At Croke Park

Ireland 12 Wales 16

Warren Gatland officially took up his appointment as coach to Wales on December 1st, 2007. He arrived In Dublin with victories over England, Italy and Scotland to pit his wits against former assistant with Ireland, Eddie O’Sullivan. Wales went on to win a Grand Slam.

March 21st, 2009

At Millennium Stadium

Wales 15 Ireland 17

Gatland fired a few verbal volleys in the build-up that were ignored by the Ireland camp. The visitors were chasing their first Grand Slam in 61 years and they achieved that goal in heart-stopping fashion.

March 13th, 2010

At Croke Park

Ireland 27 Wales 10

France won a Grand Slam that season. Ireland missed out on a Triple Crown by losing to Scotland in the final match at Croke Park and Wales, well beaten on this occasion, won two matches that season. Craig Joubert – who also takes charge next Saturday – refereed this match.

March 12th, 2011

At Millennium Stadium

Wales 19 Ireland 13

Ireland led 13-9 at the interval with Brian O’Driscoll grabbing a try and Ronan O’Gara kicking the remaining points but Mike Phillips’ controversial try – the wrong ball was used to take a quick lineout – ultimately decided the outcome.

AS IRELAND COACH AGAINST WALES . . .

March 21st, 1998

At Lansdowne Road

Ireland 21 Wales 30

An Ireland team led by Keith Wood was outscored by three tries to two with Victor Costello and Andy Ward crossing while the remainder of Ireland’s points came from Eric Elwood. Gatland had taken over as Irish coach the previous month.

February 20th, 1999

At Wembley

Wales 23 Ireland 29

The game was played in London because the Millennium Stadium was being built. From an Irish context the match will probably be best remembered for Keith Wood’s barnstorming try. Kevin Maggs crossed for another with David Humphreys kicking 19 points.

April 1st, 2000

At Lansdowne Road

Ireland 19 Wales 23

Ireland were outscored by two tries to one, Shane Horgan crossing for the home side while Ronan O’Gara kicked 14 points. Eddie O’Sullivan had joined as assistant coach and Ireland won three of five, including beating France in Paris.

October 13th, 2001

At Millennium Stadium:

Wales 6 Ireland 36

In the season of foot and mouth disease, Ireland played three games in October. They won four of five – losing to Scotland – but denied England a Grand Slam at Lansdowne Road. Gatland’s tenure as Irish coach ended in November.