Wales coach Gatland "embarrassed" by South Africa defeat
Warren Gatland tasted his first defeat as Wales coach
Saturday, 07, Jun 2008 08:17
Wales coach Warren Gatland was left fuming after watching his side get pummelled 43-17 by world champions South Africa.
The Welsh camp were full of confidence going into the game after their memorable Six Nations Grand Slam win, but they were outclassed by a powerful South African side who ran in four tries and created opportunities to score many more.
South Africa fly-half Butch James converted all four tries and kicked a further five penalties as Wales gave away a number of silly penalties.
"There were a few opportunities we didn't take and a few soft penalties that we gave away," said Gatland. "In the first half we could have been in it by taking those chances but we were physically dominated by a better side.
"We're a little embarrassed by that performance. Some people were a bit like startled rabbits. I don't feel we earned the respect we wanted to - not just the players, but the management too
"For me the big thing is confidence and self-belief, and I learned today that even if you speak about it - well, I didn't see it."
Wales were outclassed by a far superior team today and Gatland now faces the biggest challenge of his short Welsh coaching career in trying to lift his players for the second Test in Pretoria next Saturday.