KEY POINTS:
CARDIFF - Gareth Jenkins was sacked as Wales head coach today after his side crashed out of the rugby World Cup at the hands of Fiji.
Jenkins was told of the Welsh Rugby Union's (WRU) decision by chief executive Roger Lewis at the team's hotel in Pornichet, western France.
The swift action was taken after Wales failed to reach the quarterfinals of the tournament following a 34-38 loss to Fiji in nearby Nantes.
Jenkins had a contract until the end of the 2008 Six Nations but the defeat was Jenkins' 13th loss in 20 games and his position as head coach became untenable.
Wales won only six matches in Jenkins' 18 months in charge and just two of those wins came against teams ranked higher than them in the world rankings - against England in March and Argentina in August.
They endured a disappointing Six Nations in 2007 and suffered a record 5-62 loss to England in their first warmup match for the World Cup in France.
But now the WRU has launched a worldwide search to find Jenkins' successor.
"The board of the Welsh Rugby Union had a meeting on Saturday night (Sunday NZ time) following our exit from the World Cup to Fiji," Lewis said.
"We met with Gareth on Sunday (Monday) morning and he has accepted the decision to stand down as coach of Wales.
"This quick decision was taken in the best interests of both Welsh rugby and Gareth Jenkins.
"On behalf of the Welsh rugby union, we would sincerely thank Gareth for everything he has done over the past 18 months and the incredible amount of hard work he has put in. He lives and breathes rugby.
"We have spoken at length about his departure and he has behaved with great dignity.
"He is a proud man who loves the game and behaves honourably at all times.
"But sport at this level is defined by success and the reality is that Wales have failed in their bid to reach the quarterfinal stage.
"Today is not about blaming Gareth Jenkins. Welsh rugby needs to take a good look at itself and ask some tough questions.
"Over the next few months we will be undertaking a full review of our game talking to all the coaches, players and regions across Wales.
"The review will include input from the Welsh players and coaches, including Gareth Jenkins, plus everyone involved in the elite game in Wales because we need to fully understand why we have reached this point.
"But we must do this together and stand united.
"It's important that we use the passion, frustration and anger of Saturday's result to propel us forward into the 2011 World Cup and the work starts today."
Lewis said that the search for a successor would be widespread and worldwide and that the proper time would taken to find the right man.
Wales will hold a full board meeting on Wednesday to determine whether any of Jenkins' backroom staff will remain.
- AFP
