The China Mail - Gatland battling 'pain' during tough Wales rebuild

A loss against Australia on Sunday would eclipse the sequence of 10 Welsh defeats in 2002 and 2003 under Gatland's fellow New Zealander Steve Hansen.

Joe Schmidt's Australia, who beat Wales twice on home turf in July, arrive in Cardiff on the back of a spectacular 42-37 success against England.

And after that it does not get any easier, with Wales next hosting world champions South Africa, before kicking off the Six Nations against France in Paris early next year.

Wales have been hit by a string of high-profile retirements over the past 18 months, including Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, Dan Biggar and George North, and have struggled with injuries.

Gatland has capped more than 20 players since returning for a second stint as Wales coach ahead of the 2023 Six Nations, but he has just six wins in 22 Tests.

It is a far cry from his first spell in charge of Wales, from 2007 to 2019, which yielded four Six Nations titles, including three Grand Slams, and two appearances in World Cup semi-finals.

"We have tried to point out from the outset that we need to go through some pain," he said on Wednesday. "I didn't think there would be this much pain, to be honest."

He said if a decision were made that he was not the man to take Wales forward he would "probably go back to the beach, have a glass of wine and enjoy myself away from some of the pressure".

The New Zealander added: "We have tried to be clear about building and developing this group of youngsters. We know it takes a bit of time. I am well aware you are not always given time.

"It is about results. I have tried to not shy away from that. I understand that. Criticism is part of the job and the role.

"All we can do is keep working hard, as we have been doing as coaches and players. Hopefully, the tide turns pretty soon."

Gatland has made four changes from the side beaten by Fiji last weekend, with wing Mason Grady and scrum-half Tomos Williams both injured.

Williams is replaced by Ellis Bevan, and Scarlets wing Tom Rogers takes over from Grady.

James Botham and Jac Morgan come into the back row alongside Aaron Wainwright.

G.Fung--ThChM