Gatland hails win over world champions
He was magnanimous in his praise of the coaching team as much as the players, despite having left the Ireland job in less than perfect circumstances.
Gatland suggested that Ireland should play the southern hemisphere sides much more often in a bid to reach the standards they have set over the years.
“I think it is a good thing to take on the best on a regular basis. Okay, people might get fed up of bad results, but it does get better and Ireland proved that with a marvellous victory at the weekend.
“I haven't seen the entire game but I did see enough of the highlights to recognise that Ireland played a very clever game in difficult conditions. They adapted to the conditions much better than Australia did and they clearly learned some lessons from games in the recent past.
“Ireland worked out the Australian game plan, met them head on and tackled the Wallabies out of the match. I was delighted for them.”
The Kiwi was at Twickenham to watch his native New Zealand go down narrowly to England but was still pleased with the outcome.
“It proved that young players can be brought in and do the business. I think they gave England a fright before that game was over.”
Looking to Ireland’s remaining autumn fixtures, Gatland believes they will dispose of the Fijian challenge relatively easily. “Even though the side will be changed significantly, I think they have had a major psychological boost. That should be good for them as they prepare to take on Argentina as well.”
Argentina? Not the greatest memory for Gatland in his tenure as Irish coach. “I shouldn’t get involved in this and I don’t want to, but I would say that Argentina have been a force in rugby for decades. People in this side of the world have not given the country credit for their achievements. I don’t intend raising the World Cup game again, but I think one could point to their record at home against the best teams in the world over many years.
“The All Blacks, South Africa and more recently, Australia, found the going tough against them. I would have to give them full credit for their achievements and it would be foolish for anyone to suggest they are an easy side to play and an easy side to beat.
“I think Ireland will have a tough time trying to beat them notwithstanding the victory over Australia. A lot of other so-called stronger sides than Ireland will have difficulties with them as well.
“Irish rugby fans will have to be more realistic in their assessment of opposition, yet having beaten Australia Ireland they can move on. With a bit of luck they will do that and prove to themselves they actually can beat the best in the world, not just once, but twice and more.”
Irish captain Keith Wood was delighted with Ireland’s victory over Australia although he was not involved. But Wood is bracing himself for more time on the international sideline even though he trained for Harlequins in London yesterday after finally getting a game under his belt at the weekend.
“Saturday was a great day for Ireland, a result to savour, but I agree with Brian O’Driscoll that it is only one step on a long walk. I am so happy for everyone that the victory was achieved but we have to be careful not to lose the run of ourselves. I know that won’t happen in any circumstances.”
Wood is, of course, ruled out for Sunday’s game against Fiji. He could also miss the upcoming fixture against Argentina, and although he has made a comeback at club level he isn’t quite sure of what to expect.
“I will know a lot more in a couple of days time,” he admitted yesterday.
Also out of Sunday’s game with the South Sea islanders are John Kelly and Paul Wallace, who have been replaced in the 22 man squad by O’Driscoll and Reggie Corrigan, two of the heroes of Saturday's victory over the world champions.
It had been intended to rest both players but they were called on board yesterday.
REVISED IRISH SQUAD: Backs: J Bishop, G Easterby, S Horgan, D Humphreys, B O’Driscoll, K Maggs, G Murphy, R O’Gara, P Stringer, G D’Arcy.
Forwards: S Byrne, L Cullen, K Dawson, A Foley, J Hayes, M Horan, E Miller, M O’Driscoll, M O’Kelly, A Quinlan, F Sheahan, R Corrigan.
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