Sport

Gatland predicts a close encounter

WHERE BEFORE the rivalry between Warren Gatland and Eddie O’Sullivan, and on-field sledging emanating from Munster and the Ospreys…

GERRY THORNLEY in Wellington
Fri Oct 07 2011 - 01:00

WHERE BEFORE the rivalry between Warren Gatland and Eddie O’Sullivan, and on-field sledging emanating from Munster and the Ospreys especially, could stoke things up, this time rather than the pre-match grenades we’ve had a week of love bombing from both camps. It will last until kick-off, and not a second longer.

Central to this, of course, is Gatland has toned down the pre-match barbs, coupled with the new-found respect arising from the two sides respectively back-boning the Lions tour two seasons ago. Ten of the Irish and seven of the Welsh starting XVs were amongst those Lions in South Africa which would suggest the first all-Celtic quarter-final in a World Cup is no fluke.

Gatland, who took Ireland to the 1999 World Cup, will be coaching a Test team for the 80th time tomorrow (this being his 42nd with Wales after 38 with Ireland), and clearly believes opportunity knocks for the Celts like never before at a World Cup, with a first Celtic finalist a more real possibility than ever before.

“Particularly because both teams are playing well there appears to be a lot of confidence and each can think of winning that game. And you’re not afraid of who you meet in the semi-finals and can think: ‘we can get into a final here’.

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“And I think if you look at the past, the goal of the Celtic nations has been quarter-finals and then being outgunned by the big boys.”

He maintains the infusion of new young players has given them more directness as well as their ability to play wide, rather than reinventing their running game, and he is chipper about this revitalised Welsh team, though respectful of what they are up against. “After the two months we had together we’re fitter and stronger than we’ve ever been, and we’ve got a good balance in our squad. But looking at Ireland, they’ve got experience, and they’re playing some great rugby. I thought the second half against Italy was probably the best they’ve played since they’ve been here.

“I think it’s going to be a close game, a tight game and it’s going to go to a bounce of the ball.”