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Warren Gatland backs Wales to win 2019 World Cup in Japan

Last updated on .From the section Welsh Rugbycomments504

Alun Wyn Jones and Warren Gatland
Warren Gatland (right) saw Alun Wyn Jones lead Wales to the 2019 Six Nations Grand Slam

Coach Warren Gatland says Wales can "bring home the World Cup" by playing "as well as we have for the last year".

Gatland's side clinched the Grand Slam with victory over Ireland on Saturday and have set a national 14-match winning record.

In that time they have beaten South Africa twice and Australia, who they meet in the pool stage in Japan.

"I know that these guys won't go down in any match without a fight," Gatland said.

Wales have overtaken Ireland in the World Rugby rankings to move second behind World Cup holders New Zealand.

Gatland's tenure as Wales coach ends after the World Cup and speaking at an official ceremony in Cardiff to celebrate the Six Nations win, he added: "We've got a very special group of players at the moment.

"We enjoy each other's company, we challenge each other on a lot of things, but once we make a decision we back each other 100%.

"I promise you that these guys will give 100% in every game at the World Cup."

Gatland is celebrating a record third Grand Slam as a Six Nations coach and has also guided the British and Irish Lions to a 2013 series win against Australia and a series draw against the All Blacks in 2017.

In their World Cup pool, Wales face Georgia, Australia, Fiji and Uruguay with August warm-ups against England and Ireland, the latter twice.

"You need a little bit of luck and hopefully we don't pick up too many injuries," added Gatland.

"We'll have a few months of preparation and as we have in the last few World Cups, we'll be one of the fittest teams, if not the fittest team there.

"There's some real depth, some real competition in this squad and that makes it tough on us as coaches.

"There are quality players that will miss out on the 31-man squad and that will be incredibly tough.

"I assure you that we'll go there with some confidence and belief that we can have a great World Cup."

Wales have twice reached World Cup semi-finals, the last time in 2011 in New Zealand under Gatland, where they were beaten in the last four by France before losing to Australia in the third-place play-off.

In the inaugural tournament in 1987 they beat Australia in New Zealand to finish third - their best finish.

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504 comments

  • Comment posted by Dragonborn, at 22:11 18 Mar 2019

    No doubt this comment will bring criticism, but what else can he say? He's backed his players 100%. What more can you ask from a coach? Not sure whether the article is needed tbh because I'm sure the coaches of the top 6 in the World Rankings would say exactly the same thing lol.

  • Comment posted by isitme, at 23:00 18 Mar 2019

    Don't you hate the headline writers. Taking "if we play as well as we have then we can win" into "backs his team to win the rwc" just to make click bait. I'd rather England win but if not...any 6N team would be fantastic and Wales are in a great place at the moment

  • Comment posted by U15783078, at 23:07 18 Mar 2019

    The same people deriding Wales as an outside bet for RWC2019 were telling us a few weeks back that

    Wales will lose in Paris

    Then it was

    Wales will lose to England

    Then it was

    Wales will lose to Scotland

    And even then it was

    Wales will lose to Ireland

    Funnily enough none of those things took place!

  • Comment posted by JDPrice, at 23:06 18 Mar 2019

    You can say Wales played rubbish all you want, but we won the grand slam. And have room for improvement, it's a scary prospect.

  • Comment posted by blackphoenix1888, at 22:13 18 Mar 2019

    As a proud Irishman living in South Wales to Welsh wife, I am wholeheartedly behind the boys in Green come WC time, but I really think Wales have got the complete team chemistry and make-up to go the whole way!

    Nobody will want them in the knock-out stages...especially England!

  • Comment posted by AndSleep, at 23:12 18 Mar 2019

    Unfortunately I think the Kiwis are strong favourites but one thing's for sure, anyone who beats Wales will know they've been in a game. Pains me to say it but Wales are comfortably the best home side right now and by some way. England are terrifying on their day but are horribly lacking in consistency and lack the heart that the Welsh lads have shown in spades.

  • Comment posted by Nick_BD, at 22:18 18 Mar 2019

    Maybe but I doubt it. This Wales team reminds me of the 2017 England team winning games but look very beatable. They deservedly won this 6N but I don't think their attack is good enough to win a World Cup imo.

  • Comment posted by BushTucker, at 22:19 18 Mar 2019

    Proper rugby team based on old school grit, talent and joyful camaraderie

    From a FJ-n/NZ-er POV

  • Comment posted by HogriderDookes, at 22:09 18 Mar 2019

    So proud of the Wales team and our country, da iawn!

  • Comment posted by SA, at 23:14 18 Mar 2019

    @33- Martin Smith- ‘wales rarely beat SH sides’ you said. I’m South African and they’ve beaten us 5 out of the last 6 times they’ve played us. That’s hardly ‘rarely’!

  • Comment posted by elmbh79, at 22:09 18 Mar 2019

    Keep their discipline and who knows,

  • Comment posted by U15035760, at 01:35 19 Mar 2019

    @141. ron watt

    Wales have a mediocre record in the world cup they'll bottle it yet again

    Bottle it, what like giving away a 31 point lead to Scotland and scraping a draw, is that what you mean by bottling it ?

  • Comment posted by Adam, at 22:47 18 Mar 2019

    As Gatland said they have forgotten how to lose. I am English but wouldn't bet against them and - if they came up against NZ in the final - would cheer them on.

  • Comment posted by footyfan94, at 22:50 18 Mar 2019

    "Warren mind games again already"

    Wouldn't exactly call backing your players mind-games. The disgraceful and degrading way Eddie Jones has talked about the Scotland, Wales and Ireland in the last few years and even against England when he was Australia's coach are what I call mind games.

    It's childish and cruel and has no place in sport especially one which has upheld it's values for so long

  • Comment posted by JDPrice, at 22:16 18 Mar 2019

    I don't think many Welshmen, like myself, will be carried away. But I do think there's a chance and when you look at it, Wales still can improve and build a lot on this Six Nations. Hopefully not enough to change the formula. People have thought it was forward of me to book to go to Japan in the later stages of the WC, but I do think Wales can make it. If not I can watch some more great teams!

  • Comment posted by manofkent, at 00:04 19 Mar 2019

    Some sour grapes on here. A team that wins the grand slam, 14 tests in a row and are IRB ranked 2nd deserve to be taken as a serious threat at World Cup. No good bleating on about luck and style of play. When you lose its best just to suck it up, congratulate the winners and hope for better next time. Gatlands right to back his lads, they were awesome and the rest of us in NH are playing catchup

  • Comment posted by VeniVidiVici, at 22:18 18 Mar 2019

    Well done BBC's Click Bait department. Perfect platform the trolls!

  • Comment posted by Dai Quietly, at 22:20 18 Mar 2019

    Won't be long before this statement attracts the "Arrogant Welsh" brigade, but what else could he say?

    Good on ya Gats - #legend

  • Comment posted by Googly, at 22:18 18 Mar 2019

    3. Dragonborn

    Nailed it. What else is Gatland going to say when asked if his team can win?
    "No chance, we're only going to Japan for the sake, sushi and airmiles"?

    I hope Wales can go all the way, but this article is a non-story.

  • Comment posted by fred, at 00:45 19 Mar 2019

    If England don't win it then i hope Wales do. England have the squad and the performance to win but are mentally weak and not disciplined enough.
    Wales have the attitude and the defense that they will be in with a chance at winning any game! Can't wait to see how it unfolds :)

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