Rugby: Gatland thinks Boks may be 'underdone'

Warren Gatland

A Waikato rugby stalwart is in South Africa this weekend - but he's not there as a member of the Chiefs Super 14 campaign.

Warren Gatland may physically be in Rustenburg on Saturday as the assistant coach of the British and Irish Lions, but his heart will be more than 150km to the west where his beloved Chiefs will take on the Bulls in the Super 14 final at Loftus Versfeld.

Gatland, arguably the most successful rugby coach of modern times, represented Waikato as a player and coached them to victory in the NPC.

"I think around 14 or 15 of the current squad where there when I was there," said Gatland at a press conference at the Sandton Sun last night. "I'll be cheering like mad for the Chiefs, there's no doubt about that.

"I was back in New Zealand about two weeks ago and caught up with the Chiefs players and had a few beers with them. They've got over the hoodoo of not making a Super 14 final and now they have to play against a very tough team.

"You've got 50 000 Bulls fans screaming their heads off, it will be tough. The Chiefs are playing some exciting rugby, though."

Gatland may not get a chance to watch the final as it starts at 5.30pm, immediately after the Lions open their tour against the Royal XV at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Rustenburg.

Having played for Waikato against the Lions in 1993 and scored a try in a comprehensive 38-10 victory for the Hamilton side, and coached Wales to South Africa, the former hooker is well placed to know just how tough a tour can be to any of the southern-hemisphere sides.

"It's really tough, isn't it? If we thought it was hopeless none of us would be here, you guys wouldn't be here," he smiled, looking at the British press.

"From a Welsh point of few we've played South Africa three times in recent years and we've improved every time. We'll have a few games under our belts before the first Test. South Africa might be a bit underdone as some of them won't have played for some time."

Indeed, some of the Springboks will not have played any proper rugby - Friday's match against Namibia notwithstanding - for more than a month before the first Test in Durban. The Lions, on the other hand, will have six matches under their belts and will be a stronger, more cohesive unit.

"Everyone's training at the moment. The Leinster boys who played in the Heineken Cup final on Saturday slotted into the training, so that's good. Brian O'Driscoll is a bit tight and a bit sore, but he trained as well," said Gatland.

"For me personally, it's a massive honour. As a coach you don't have to be motivated to be here, you get to work with the best players in the northern hemisphere.

"It's amazing how open the players have been. Generally, guys are pretty closed when they're with their club teams and now they are sharing, which can only be good for taking the game forward and developing it.

"One of the things you become aware of is that you are bringing players together for the first time, the calls are new and tactics are new.

"We're a lot further forward than we were after the first week. The calibre of players has made it easier.

"I can't speak highly enough of the respect I have for South Africa; they've been World champions twice, they're passionate about the game, they have depth. Playing up here on the Highveld will be tough."

- INDEPENDENT (SOUTH AFRICA)