Springboks

Gatland wants to avoid ONE topic ahead of Bok Test

2018-11-19 21:08

Cape Town - Wales coach Warren Gatland hopes at least one topic of discussion will be avoided ahead of Saturday’s Test against South Africa in Cardiff.

“The biggest thing for me - and the players are the same - is that the last thing we want is a media debate about the Welsh No 10s,” Gatland told the Wales Online website.

The Wales mentor is spoilt for choice at No 10, with all of Gareth Anscombe, Dan Biggar and Rhys Patchell in contention.

Biggar produced a man-of-the-match performance when he started at flyhalf in last Saturday’s 74-24 win over Tonga, while his replacement Patchell was impressive when he came on in the final quarter.

However, in the 9-6 win over Australia earlier this month, it was Anscombe who started at flyhalf, while Biggar came on as a fullback replacement.

“All three of the 10s have played well and that’s a great position for me to be in,” said Gatland.

Gatland added that the media debate around who should start at flyhalf “has been going on forever and they don’t want to be stuck in the middle of that”.

“I think whoever is involved against South Africa will see it as a big opportunity and whoever misses out will be very disappointed. It’s a position where we have different players with different strengths, but we’re in a good position there.”

While Wales are pondering their starting flyhalf, the Springboks look more settled in the position.

Handre Pollard was the man-of-the-match in the 26-20 win over Scotland in Edinburgh, while Elton Jantjies seems content with a bench role.

Jantjies was impressive when he came on in the second half at Murrayfield, with Pollard seamlessly slotting into the inside centre berth.

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