Gregor Paul: Latest loss puts Gatland under pressure

Warren Gatland. Photo / Getty Images

Wales coach Warren Gatland might now be regretting his decision to turn down the Chiefs a few weeks ago.

The former Waikato player was the franchise's preferred option to replace incumbent coach Ian Foster in 2012. He was sounded out, told it was his, but turned them down on the basis he wanted a small fortune which the Chiefs didn't have.

At the time, Gatland must have thought he was in a win-win situation. His ego stoked by the Chiefs offer he was also able to use it as leverage in his negotiations with the Welsh Rugby Union.

The Welsh, believing it would be wise to lock-in their man before the World Cup threw up any number of offers Gatland's way, put a four-year contract extension on the table at £300,000 a season ($630,000).

He signed the week before the Welsh played Australia and he appeared to be in the envious position of having his career all mapped out. He'd be with Wales through to 2015, getting quite nicely rich in the process, and, hopefully, building an impregnable case to become All Black coach in 2016.

In the space of four weeks, it has all gone horribly wrong. Wales, who had won only four of their past 12 games, crashed to Australia and then let South Africa off the hook when they had them on the ropes.

Worse still, they drew with lowly Fiji and then faux pas of all faux pas, Gatland publicly dumped his captain Ryan Jones with indecent haste and alienated the changing room.

In what has been a glittering coaching career, this was the first big mistake Gatland has made and he now has the almost impossible task of winning back a group of players who don't appear overly inclined to forgive him.

For all that Wales played with enterprise, passion and commitment in losing to New Zealand yesterday, it might have been despite the coach and not for him. The body language of newly appointed captain Matthew Rees sent clear signals that there is tension in the ranks.

Unlike the previous week, Gatland said all the right things about his team after their loss to the All Blacks.

The spirited nature of the Welsh performance might have brought Gatland a stay of execution. It's unlikely to be a reprieve.

His record is starting to look decidedly average. Since losing to New Zealand last November, Wales have won four of their 16 games - against Samoa, Scotland, Italy and Argentina.

He's on such shaky ground now only results, not performances, can save him. If they don't come in the Six Nations, Gatland could be out of a job before the World Cup.