Jamie Roberts and Mike Phillips have slammed head coach Warren Gatland following Wales’ historic home defeat to Fiji, which extended their current losing streak to 10 Tests.
The hard-hitting Fijians extended Wales’ horror run of form with a 24-19 victory in Cardiff on Sunday. The Welsh have not won a Test since the 2023 World Cup pool triumph against Georgia more than a year ago.
Roberts, who enjoyed a decorated career under Gatland, delivered a damning assessment of the current state of Welsh rugby on S4C.
“It’s the worst Wales have ever been in the professional era,” said Roberts, who currently serves on the Welsh Rugby Union board.
The criticism was amplified by former scrumhalf Mike Phillips, who played under Gatland for seven years. In a strongly-worded social media post, Phillips questioned the Kiwi’s motivation and leadership.
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“Lots of positives yes, you earn 600k a year and don’t even have to win!” Phillips posted on Twitter. “For the WRU to bring this guy back is simply crazy! Laugh all the way to the bank. The problems are not with who coaches Wales!”
Phillips went further, expressing personal grievances: “It fills me with revulsion when I hear this guy talk about family. Did he talk to me at the end of my career, he did! I won (tests) for this guy. This man is only in it for himself and it hurts me to see all this str*nt of praise he gets.”
The defeat to Fiji marked Wales’ first home loss to the Pacific Islanders, pushing them down to 11th in the world rankings. The current losing streak equals the worst run in Welsh rugby history.
Former Wales flyhalf Dan Biggar added to the mounting pressure: “Clearly the way things are for Welsh rugby at the minute and this Welsh team, it cannot continue like this. When you’re the boss and things aren’t going so well, the questions fall firstly at his door.”
The post Welsh greats gun for Gatland appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
