Gatland ‘bitterly disappointed’ after Argentina end Wales World Cup hopes

“We’re incredibly disappointed, but I don’t want to take anything away from Argentina and their performance,” said Gatland. 

“We had trained hard and went into this game confidently thinking as long as we execute the game plan well, we would be there in the semi-final.” 

Late tries from Puma’s prop Joel Sclavi and veteran Nicolas Sanchez had proved to be the difference on the day in a physical contest in the south of France. 

Wales had come out of the blocks quickly moving into an early ten-point lead thanks to Dan Biggar’s well-worked try but could never get away from Argentina as the boot of Emiliano Boffelli would always keep the scoreline close. 

Replacement scrum-half Tomos Williams’ individual try looked to have taken control of the game back for Wales, but Argentina’s late show would leave Wales and Gatland shell-shocked as they would crash out of the competition. 

“They are a tough team to put away and they hung in there with fight and kept going. It was an incredibly physical test match which could have gone either way,” continued Gatland. 

“They deserve a lot of credit for the way they played. We weren’t quite at our best, but we had opportunities to win the game. 

“We were 10-0 up though and if we had taken a few of the opportunities presented to us it would have been different. We gave away a couple of soft penalties and allowed them back in before half-time. 

“We had spoken about how important discipline was and not giving away anything and that allowed them to stay in the game in terms of keeping the scoreboard ticking over and they took their opportunities. That’s the way test match rugby goes sometimes. 

“Today we had a team that kicked a lot against us long and probably at times we played a little bit too much on halfway. We needed to be a bit more conservative. 

“I spoke in the changing room to the boys about how gutted we are that it has slipped away from us. You have to take learning away and continue to improve and develop as a squad.  

“We need to take that away as a team. We have a game against the Barbarians and then have to start focusing ahead of the Six Nations and make sure we don’t take a backward step.  

“I’m incredibly proud of the work that these players have put in. The coaches and all the staff have been absolutely fantastic.” 

A turning point in the second half would be the decision from referee Karl Dickson to take no further action against forward Guido Petti after appearing to collide with Welsh centre Nick Tompkins with his shoulder. With nothing in the scoreline, Gatland feels his side were hard done by. 

“It didn’t help that the referee got injured. That was a bit disruptive in terms of the game. It does throw you off. We were comfortable will Jaco Peyper and the relationship we have with him in terms of his control of the game,” explained Gatland. 

“Nothing against Karl [Dickson], but you do a lot of analysis on what referees tend to be tough on and what they are looking for. We hadn’t prepared for the change. It happens though and you have to deal with it. 

“I will be interested to see what happens from the feedback from the panel [on the Petti incident]. If he has felt Nick [Tompkins] has dropped his height and it wasn’t foul play, then we will have to go and have a look back over it. 

“I think it was at least a penalty situation and from that, we felt Dillon Lewis was on the ball for a significant amount of time before they ended up scoring their try. 

“Sometimes those things happen in a game and big moments can swing things. It’s just the way it is.” 

With the match signaling the end to the international career of fly-half Dan Biggar, Gatland was keen to pay tribute to a player who has given his all to his country over the last two decades. 

 “Dan [Biggar] has been an incredible servant. He is so competitive, wants to win and wears his heart on his sleeve,” enthused Gatland. 

“He has been an incredible servant to Welsh rugby. He is so competitive, wants to win and wears his heart on his sleeve. That has been one of his main accolades to what he has brought to this team over the years.  

“He’s been through some incredible highs and also some lows as well. To see him come into the side as a youngster and mature and develop as a player has been pretty special.”

[Lead image: Welsh Rugby Union]