Wales’ Coach Warren Gatland expresses disinterest in water breaks during Rugby World Cup 2023

Wales Coach Gatland’s Stance on Water Breaks at 2023 World Cup

Gatland Hopes to Avoid Water Breaks in the Upcoming Tournament

In a recent statement, Warren Gatland, the head coach of Wales, expressed his opposition towards the introduction of water breaks during matches in the upcoming 2023 Rugby World Cup. Although searing temperatures are being experienced in France, leading to discussions about implementing intervals for teams to combat the heat, Gatland believes that his team’s rigorous fitness camps in Turkey and Switzerland have prepared them adequately.

“No I wouldn’t support [water breaks], not particularly,” said Gatland. “We would like the ball on the park as often as we could.”

Gatland emphasized that having more continuous playtime benefits their game strategy and demonstrates their physical readiness. While they won’t oppose such decisions made by World Rugby if water breaks are indeed implemented, he believes that Wales’ current level of conditioning surpasses any challenges posed by potential strenuous weather conditions. Their opening match against Fiji is seen as an opportunity for this preparation to pay off.

A Battle-Hardened Team Ready for Any Situation

Gatland expressed confidence in Wales’ physical conditioning sessions which he considers tougher than any actual game situation. He firmly believes these demanding workouts will give them an edge when facing Fiji in Bordeaux—a team known for its formidable forward pack.

“If we go to a dark place from a conditioning point of view, then hopefully there are no darker places,” said Gatland. “We’ve worked incredibly hard as a group.”

Their primary goal against Fiji is to outmaneuver their physically imposing opponents by constantly keeping them on the move. Whether through skillful ball handling or employing strategic kicking tactics, Wales aims to exploit any weaknesses in Fiji’s defense. Though Fiji has been in excellent form with five warm-up games under their belt, it remains uncertain how well-conditioned they truly are. Wales, however, has dedicated significant time and effort into refining their physical fitness at various training camps.

Anticipating a Unique Challenge

As Wales faces off against Fiji for the fifth consecutive World Cup match under Gatland’s guidance, the coach acknowledges that this encounter will be different from previous encounters. Fiji has evolved into a more structured team compared to its historically flamboyant style of play.

“They’re a lot more structured than they used to be. They’ve always had incredibly world class individual athletes who could open up a game,” explained Gatland. “But bringing that organization and structure makes them more dangerous.”

Gatland believes that an improved set-piece performance has made Fiji even more formidable opponents, as demonstrated by their recent victory over England at Twickenham—a testament to their growing capabilities across all aspects of play.