Warren Gatland: We let England game slip through our grasp

02-07-2010

WARREN GATLAND didn’t pull any punches in laying the blame for Wales’ Twickenham defeat at the door of lock Alun Wyn Jones.

The Wales and Lions star was shown the yellow card for a stupid trip on England hooker Dylan Hartley just before half-time.

While he was in the sin-bin and Wales were down to 14 men, they conceded 17 points.

The Wales coach admitted Jones’ “stupid” action had cost his side victory and that his position in the starting line-up was now under threat.

“We are frustrated and disappointed,” said Gatland.

“We felt that was a game we let slip from our grasp and we have had a yellow card which has been costly. It has cost us 17 points.

“It’s a stupid thing to do and it was a massive turning point in this game, but I haven’t said anything to Alun Wyn Jones.

“Shaun Edwards has said something to him after the game, saying ‘I hope you never do that in your career again.’

“All of us have made an impulsive and costly decision. He has done that and it has hurt us.

“Hopefully, it will be a learning experience for him and he doesn’t do it again.

“We have to look at what we do about what he has done. We will look at the video but not playing next week is always a possibility.

“Players sometimes make stupid decisions or have poor performances and they want to rectify that.”

Gatland admitted Wales were second best for most of the first half due to a misfiring lineout but he was proud how his side had fought back to 20-17 at the death.

“The key to the second half is that we got some quality ball and that put us on the front foot,” he said.

“Just before half-time was incredibly costly for us but when we got quick ball we looked incredibly dangerous.

“With six minutes to go, I thought we were going to win the match. Unfortunately we have thrown an interception and given away another three points late on.

“There is a real frustration but also a real pride that the guys came back the way they did.

“I thought James Hook’s try was absolutely outstanding. We could have scored another one when James threw an inside ball to Tom James.

“If he had given it to Shane Williams early, then Shane would have probably scored in the corner.

“We have to take our chances. We scrummaged well but the lineout has struggled and that has proved costly.

“It was one of the aspects we were very pleased with in the autumn but we clearly need to tidy up some things in that area.

“I have mixed emotions at the moment: I am frustrated but proud of the way we came back.

“We could have easily thrown in the towel and said, ‘This isn’t going to be our day.’

“England went out there from the kick-off and played from side to side and we have defended and put them back 20 metres.

“On attack, they didn’t really put us under pressure. Their game plan was pick and go and the box-kick.

“It was very effective for them and pretty successful.

“I think you will see a really positive reaction from the players against Scotland.

“We had stressed the need for discipline in the week and how important that would be in this game, especially with a referee like Alan Rolland who isn’t afraid to show yellow cards.

“We had to trust each other, our system and our defence and not give anything away.

“We didn’t do that and that will be sorted out next week.

“If we go out and play and be as accurate as we can be, we will produce a good performance against Scotland.”