Gatland called the result "embarrassing" and sacked popular captain Ryan Jones on the spot, after he had conceded the penalty after the siren that had given Fiji the chance to level. Jones apologised to the players post-match for costing Wales victory, before Gatland announced that Matthew Rees would take the armband against New Zealand the following week.
Then all hell rained down from the valleys. Gatland was accused of everything from throwing a tantrum to disrespect. Former internationals lined up for a shot.
Jonathan Davies and Gwyn Jones both accused Gatland of deflection; that he had used Jones as a shield to protect his own shortcomings.
It was a beleaguered Gatland who fronted the media that week in Cardiff. While ebullient has never been a characteristic that springs readily to mind in conversation with the former Waikato hooker, he had rarely seemed as hangdog as he did in the lead-up to the All Blacks defeat a week later.
He had three big advantages over the situation Lievremont now finds himself in: he had a long-term contract with Wales Rugby; he was already a vastly experienced coach used to dealing with the vagaries that sport throws at you; and, crucially, Jones took his demotion like a man, which had a rapid calming effect on everyone else.
Wales played quite well against the All Blacks. They needed to. Still, if you were down to your last dollar at that point, there would have been sillier ways of spending it than dropping into the bookies and backing Wales to be knocked out of the World Cup before the quarter-finals.
What have we got now? A Wales team on the verge of their first semifinal appearance in 24 years. A Wales team playing attractive, engaging rugby. A Wales team with a bit of expectation and swagger. A Wales team that looks as well-coached as any team at the tournament.
So how do you explain the transformation?
In some ways, the All Black test, which secured a Grand Slam for the visitors, was a turning point for Wales, according to veteran first five-eighths Stephen Jones.
"We had a cracking game against New Zealand. With 65 minutes on the clock, I felt we were [in] that game. New Zealand scored a great counter-attacking try and managed to pull away," Jones said.
Still, a loss is a loss and if there has been a criticism of Wales since their salad days in the 1970s, it's that they make too much capital out of honourable defeats and that most nebulous of bedfellows, moral victory.
Gatland needed something other than a plucky performance in dark times against the All Blacks to convince the public that Wales were on track for a World Cup push.
"A lot of hard work has gone on," Jones said. "And the fact so many good youngsters have come through and put their hands up. The way they have been playing has raised the bar for all of us.
"It really has had a good knock-on effect throughout the squad."
One of those youngsters is Rhys Priestland, whose skills in the No 10 jersey have curtailed Jones' game time markedly. Rather than sulking, he looks genuinely happy that the crop that also includes George North, Toby Faletau, Jonathan Davies and Sam Warburton, have laid down such a marker.
"Team morale is fantastic. It's a great group of people. It's a young squad.
"There's a great deal of energy and enthusiasm.
"Young players are more fearless. They go out there and back themselves."
Wales have rapidly shifted from hope to expectation. They welcome that shift.
"Our game has been evolving and developing quite nicely," Jones said.
"It's great, isn't it? Two teams going in off the back of good performances. I'm sure the mood is high in both camps.
"It's a big situation ... it's going to be a special game this one. It's a one-off, winner takes all."
It'd take a brave man to use his last dollar to back against Gatland and Wales moving on to Auckland now.
