Latest news with #Gatland
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Warren Gatland gives first interview after taking shock new job and reveals who he spoke to about it
Warren Gatland gives first interview after taking shock new job and reveals who he spoke to about it The Kiwi coach says he's been impressed by the standard of talent so far Warren Gatland has given his first interview since arriving in Uruguay (Image: Instagram: cap_rugby ) Warren Gatland says he's excited to get started at Uruguayan side Penarol, and says he's already been impressed by the level of talent at his disposal. Gatland has taken up an advisory role at the club ahead of the Super Rugby Americas (SRA) play-off finals, just three months after ending his second spell with Wales. The 61-year-old will reportedly also contribute to Uruguay's bid to reach the Rugby World Cup. Uruguay have a qualifier against Paraguay in August and could play either Chile or Brazil for a place at the 2027 tournament in Australia. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "Before I came here, it's my first time, I've been to Argentina a number of times, so it's not a big country," he said in his first interview since making the move to the Montevideo-based side. "It's about the same size as New Zealand. A few less people. But I did have a look at from an an economic point of view and a political point of view, how stable it is in South America and how safe it is. "I spoke to a good friend of mine, Craig White, who was with Uruguay in a couple of World Cups and he said 'you'll have a fantastic time and the people will look after you and they're incredibly friendly and very hospitable'. "So I'm excited to be here and I'm looking forward to it. "I've been lucky enough to play Uruguay in a few World Cups and so it's good to be here with Penarol, and having a look at how rugby's come on in Uruguay over a number of years. "It's my second day here but I've been very impressed with the attitude of the players and the work of the coaches and the presentations. "My Spanish isn't very good so I'm trying to pick up as many names as I can and some phrases and try and understand as much as I can." But while there could well be a language barrier, the level of talent has clearly still managed to catch the eye of the New Zealander. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Article continues below "I've enjoyed it so far and been, like I said, very impressed with the attitude of the players and how everyone's been preparing and it's a very big game for them this weekend. "Having watched some of the Sevens players I thought in the world Sevens circuit they did extremely well. I was impressed by some of those players and some of them are here now. They look very athletic and skilful. "There's some big boys here. Some athletic boys and I'm looking forward to seeing how they go over the next few weeks. "
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
The real reason Warren Gatland took shock job in Uruguay as fee details emerge
The real reason Warren Gatland took shock job in Uruguay as fee details emerge The former Wales head coach has taken on an advisory role with Uruguayan club side Peñarol Rugby Gatland is said to have come to Uruguay "out of passion and to collaborate" (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency ) More details have emerged around Warren Gatland's shock new job in Uruguay, with the real reason he made the move revealed. Earlier this week, it was confirmed that the New Zealander - who stepped down as Wales head coach during the Six Nations after a torrid run of 14 successive Test match defeats - had started a new role with Uruguayan club side Peñarol Rugby, in which he will advise head coach Ivo Dugonjic and his team ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Americas (SRA) play-off finals next month. The move has taken the rugby world by surprise, but it comes after Gatland admitted following his Wales exit that he was "not done with coaching" and would be interested in taking on consultancy role going forward. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Now, the 61-year-old's exact motivations for taking on the short-term role in South America have been revealed by Peñarol's club president Gustavo Guerra. Speaking to El Observador, Guerra revealed that former Uruguayan Rugby Union president Sebastian Piñeyrúa had been the first to make contact with Gatland over the role, having had a good relationship with the coach due to his role on the World Rugby Council. 'Sebastian told me something about this 10 or 15 days ago, and I told him right away that he could count on my support, but that he should put us in the right conditions," he said. "And the truth is, [Gatland] is here out of passion and to collaborate. 'He's fully active, he's going to Australia to give talks, he continues to attend the Lions. He's here to contribute; he's not someone who's retired." Article continues below El Observador also reports that the amount of money Gatland is being paid in the role is "far from" the money splashed around in Europe, with the club simply covering the cost of his stay and expenses, as well as providing "an extra fee" for giving talks to clubs in Uruguay. Instead, the publication says that the former Wales boss has taken on the role "because of the challenge it entails" as well as "his desire to gain a closer look at the reality of regional rugby". While he is set to advise Peñarol over the next three weeks, it is the hope of the URU that they will continue to be able to consult with Gatland in the future, particularly as Uruguay target a place at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. The New Zealander got to work with Peñarol on Monday, meeting club directors and those from the URU, as well as Dugonjic and the rest of the team's coaching staff. On Tuesday, he oversaw training as the team prepare to take on Pampas on Friday, in what will be their final match of the regular Super Rugby Americas season. Peñarol are currently top of the SRA table, with the Pampas match set to determine their route through the play-offs to the final. While he will work with the squad this week, however, next week will see Gatland start giving talks at clubs around Uruguay. Giving an insight into his first meeting with Gatland, Guerra said: 'Yesterday we had a meeting with him, Fabio, Pino, and me. He was a very kind, approachable guy. He knew things about Uruguay; he didn't come with his eyes closed. "He analysed the proposal; he was attracted by the Switzerland of the Americas. Yesterday he walked the boardwalk; everything seemed very safe to him. 'On Sunday we're going to try to take him to the farms, and next week to Punta del Este, Colonia, without driving him crazy either.' Article continues below 'I have to thank both Fabio (Magno, president of the URU) and Sebastian (Piñeyrúa) for putting these kinds of things together," he added. "Being involved in the region, you tend to call people you know from Argentina. "You don't even think of the right contact to call someone like Gatland. Or I could call someone, but it would be a challenge coordinating dates, not to mention the money. From a technical standpoint, it's like Ancelotti coming to Brazil."
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ex-Wales boss Warren Gatland lands surprise new job three months after sacking
Former Wales boss Warren Gatland has found himself work in Uruguay and will head to South America to serve as an advisory following his sacking during the Six Nations Warren Gatland will take up at advisory role with Uruguayan rugby side Penarol three months after he was dismissed as Wales head coach. The New Zealander left his role with Welsh rugby after a horror run of results and has now taken a surprise next step. Gatland will advise Penarol for the Super Rugby Americas (SRA) play-off finals. The club put out a statement and claimed that the 61-year-old would act as an advisor to their head coach, Ivo Dugonjic, and the entire Penarol staff. His remit will also see him aid Uruguay's bid to reach the Rugby World Cup, with a qualifier against Paraguay in August before potentially playing either Chile or Brazil as they eye a place at the 2027 tournament in Australia. Penarol became Uruguay's first professional rugby club when founded in 2019 and are top of the SRA table - they also provide the majority if players for the national side. Victory over Argentina's Pampas in their final regular-season game will secure them a home semi-final. Gatland's CV made for impressive reading before he opted to return to Wales for a second spell, which ultimately ended in disaster. Upon returning to replace Wayne Pivac he quickly led the Welsh for the last eight of the Rugby World Cup. After being knocked out by Argentina though the country embarked on a record-breaking run of 14 successive Test match defeats. Gatland left his job as Wales head coach in February when the Six Nations was just two games in with a loss in Italy proving to be the final straw. It was a sad end for the veteran coach who had enjoyed huge success during his first stint. He was Wales head coach from 2007 to 2019 and guided them to three Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-finals. Wales briefly topped the world rankings in August 2019 after a record 14-match unbeaten run. During that first stint in charge Gatland recorded 70 wins in 125 games. His exploits will Welsh rugby also saw him picked to coach the British and Irish Lions on three occasions. He presided over a series victory against Australia in 2013 and a more than credible draw against the All Blacks four years later. Wales are yet to halt a losing run stretching back to a World Cup victory over Georgia in October 2023. With caretaker Matt Sherratt at the helm Wales' record run of Test defeats has been extended to 17. The search for Gatland's full-time successor is still ongoing and now led by recently appointed Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) director of rugby Dave Reddin. Scotland defence coach and former Ospreys boss Steve Tandy is a leading target with Sherratt claiming it would need a monumental offer for him to consider taking the job full-time.
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Warren Gatland's shock new job confirmed in overnight announcement as club reveal how it happened
Warren Gatland's shock new job confirmed in overnight announcement as club reveal how it happened The former Wales head coach has landed a new role three months after he stepped down during the Six Nations Gatland has a new job after leaving his role as Wales head coach in February (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency ) Warren Gatland's shock new job after leaving his role as Wales head coach has been confirmed in an overnight announcement. The 61-year-old stepped down from his position with Wales during this year's Six Nations, following a miserable second stint in charge of the national team that saw them fall to 14 successive Test match defeats. However, despite his exit, he admitted that he was "not done with coaching" and has now taken on a shock new role in South America, serving as an advisor to the coaches at Uruguayan club side Peñarol. The club have confirmed that Gatland will advise head coach Ivo Dugonjic and his team ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Americas (SRA) final next month. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Peñarol are currently top of the SRA table, with their final match of the regular season this weekend set to determine their route through the play-offs to the final. While the club has not confirmed exactly how long Gatland - who will be part of Sky Sports' coverage of the British & Irish Lions tour later this summer - will spend with them, it has been reported that he will work in the role over the next three weeks. In a statement, Peñarol said the appointment was made with the hope that the New Zealander can "contribute his knowledge in pursuit of another continental title" for the club. Article continues below "Peñarol has signed long-time New Zealand coach Warren Gatland, who joins the Carbonero team ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Americas final," the statement read. "Gatland will serve as an advisor to head coach Ivo Dugonjic and the entire technical staff, with the aim of ensuring that all players involved in the high performance program can interact with him and benefit from his vast experience at the highest level of world rugby." Explaining how the move came about, Peñarol president Gustavo Guerra added that Gatland's appointment was initially proposed by the Uruguayan Rugby Union and it is hoped that his arrival in the country can be "productive for all of Uruguayan rugby". Guerra added that the former Wales boss will also be involved in "exchange opportunities" with other club rugby coaches in order to pass on his wealth of experience from across the club and international game. "It was an idea that came from the Uruguayan Rugby Union, who thought big, and Peñarol Rugby immediately said yes," he said. "We jumped on the bandwagon of including Warren Gatland with a view to the Super Rugby Americas finals, and it's something we're proud of. "We'll also try to make his arrival productive for all of Uruguayan rugby, and that's why we're going to organise exchange opportunities with club rugby coaches, so they can benefit from the arrival of a coach of this calibre." The shock appointment comes after Gatland admitted that, while he was "not sure" what his next move would be after leaving the Wales job in February, he would be looking at opportunities in the summer having "already been contacted by a number of people". "No, I am not done with coaching and not sure what my next step will be," he said during a live Q&A with the Telegraph. "I am going to have a break and have just been enjoying watching the rugby, and looking forward to the Lions series and doing some work with Sky Sports. Article continues below "I don't know what will be next but I have never had a plan in looking too far forward. What will be will be and something will come along. I have already been contacted by a number of people about possible options so I will maybe look at something after the summer. "One thing that would potentially interest me is working with a team going into the next World Cup," he added. "I have been proud of what we have done in Wales and I think the experience I have had could be valuable to a team even if in a consultancy role."
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
The search for Wales' new head coach, why it's taking time and names still in frame
The search for Wales' new head coach, why it's taking time and names still in frame The WRU's search for a new head coach shows no sign of ending WRU chief executive Abi Tierney and newly appointment Dave Reddin, director of rugby and elite performance (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) The Welsh Rugby Union's search for a new head coach remains ongoing three months after they parted ways with Warren Gatland. Matt Sherratt will lead Wales to Japan as interim head coach, having held that role for the final three games of the Six Nations, but the identity of Gatland's long-term successor has not been finalised. The WRU have chosen not to rush into an appointment, but while there is no deadline on the appointment Welsh rugby is in need of a long-term head coach who can work closely with the new director of rugby Dave Reddin to plot a way forward for the game in Wales. In the weeks after parting ways with Gatland, the WRU did make contact with agents and coaches, with a number of early contenders emerging. Ireland's Simon Easterby was a name high up on the list, with his thorough knowledge and experience of Welsh rugby after almost 20 years as a player and coach at the Scarlets marking him out as a prime candidate. Experienced Australian Michael Cheika was also someone of interest, while Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam confirmed to WalesOnline on the Welsh Rugby Podcast the WRU had enquired about his availability. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Article continues below But Lam is in the middle of a long-term contract at Bristol and, while Cheika is leaving Leicester Tigers at the end of the season, his family are based in Australia. Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith, who led the Scottish club to the United Rugby Championship title last season, was another leading contender. "I would like to coach international rugby again... you never know," the former Newport outside-half told Premier Sports when asked whether he'd be interested in the Wales job. But there was another dynamic to Smith's position with many in the game touting the South African as Gregor Townsend's long-term successor as head coach of Scotland. However, Scotland defence coach Steve Tandy then became the frontrunner for the job having held talks with the WRU. But Reddin has taken over the search for a new head coach since being appointed DOR and, as a result, the WRU have taken a breath. WalesOnline understands Tandy remains a strong contender, while former England boss Stuart Lancaster's name has also been thrown into the mix. Lancaster departed French giants Racing 92 in February and has since revealed he was in contention to become head coach of Australia before missing out to Queensland Reds boss Les Kiss. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free It also appears Glasgow boss Smith remains in the frame for the job, while RugbyPass recently linked former England prop Graham Rowntree with the role following his exit from Munster. The feeling is some of the coaches who Sherratt has taken to Japan will be contenders to be part of a new long-term coaching team. Danny Wilson (forwards) and Adam Jones (scrum) join on secondment in the summer but both are contenders for long-term roles with the WRU, while there have been suggestions Sherratt could stay on as attack coach, especially if Tandy gets the main job. While the WRU are wise not to rush into an appointment there does need to be a sense of urgency. Welsh rugby is on the floor after a record 17 defeats in a row for the men's national side, while things have also blown up off the field with two clubs - Ospreys and Scarlets - refusing to sign the new Professional Rugby Agreement. The permanent head coach needs to be in place not only to start preparing for next season but also to run the rule over the pathway and to start building relationships with the professional clubs. The future of the professional game in Wales is uncertain and that is likely to be a hindrance with regard to attracting high-quality candidates. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Article continues below As Welsh rugby faces one of the most challenging periods in its modern history, the appointment of a permanent head coach is no longer just a matter of sporting strategy — it is a crucial step toward restoring stability, credibility and hope. With the professional landscape in flux and the national team in dire need of direction, the WRU must strike the right balance between patience and purpose. Whoever takes the reins will inherit more than a team — they will shoulder the responsibility of reigniting belief across a fractured rugby nation.
