Gatland escapes discipline for cheating comments

WALES coach Warren Gatland is unlikely to face an International Rugby Board (IRB) investigation following his controversial comments about faking injury.

Gatland has revealed he considered asking a front-row forward to feign injury and force uncontested scrums during the World Cup semi-final defeat against France last Saturday. The IRB have yet to make any official response. Privately, they are surprised by them, but it seems unlikely the matter will go any further.

Gatland had already seen prop Adam Jones depart with a calf muscle injury against France, and then eight minutes later Wales captain Sam Warburton was sent off.

“I know a lot has been spoken about the red card,” Gatland said. “In retrospect, I can understand under the letter of the law there are a number of decisions referees can make.

“I just thought on that occasion, given the significance of a World Cup semi-final, to give a yellow card would have been an appropriate decision.”

Meanwhile the team will dedicate their final game in the Rugby World Cup to absent captain Sam Warburton when they aim for a third-place finish at Australia’s expense.

“We said at half-time during the game with France that we wanted to do it for Sam,” Welsh fly-half James Hook said.

“It didn’t happen, but he has been immense for us — not just during the World Cup, but since he started playing for Wales. It would be great to get something and pay him back.”

Hook gains another chance at fly-half, retained in the critical playmaker’s role despite a scratchy performance against France.

The Perpignan-bound star missed two of his three kicks at goal, and he was then replaced by Stephen Jones just after half-time as Wales looked to keep alive their World Cup hopes.

“It was bitterly disappointing in the last game for everyone, and especially for myself,” Hook added.

“I am delighted to get an opportunity to put it behind me and get on with what should be a huge challenge. Obviously, the missed kicks proved vital at the end of a game we lost by a point. It was difficult when we were down to 14 men, but we are not making excuses for Sam or myself. We’ve all taken it on the chin and realised how disappointed we are.”