Warren Gatland pens new £2,000,000 deal with Wales

Warren Gatland has replaced Wayne Pivac as Wales Head Coach on a whopping contract that could reportedly be worth up to £2,000,000 for the Kiwi.

Pivac replaced

An awful Autumn Series Nations campaign, with just one win from four games, and just three in total across the calendar year, saw Wayne Pivac axed as head honcho of Wales.

Warren Gatland is now both Pivac’s predecessor and successor, after signing from Super Rugby side, the Chiefs. Having paid Wayne Pivac out of his current contract as well buying out Gatland’s Chiefs’ contract, the Welsh Rugby Union have forked out over a million quid to get the three-time Grand Slam winner back.

It’s reported that his contract is worth £580,000 a year. If you include his option to take Wales until the end of the World Cup in Australia in 2027, that racks up an impressive bill of £2.32m.

One aside to Gatland possibly saving Wales.

The WRU have been very quick to spend money to oust Pivac & bring in WG at a drop of a hat, but they fail to properly fund the professional budgets that help create the players WG will use despite having months to do so.

MONTHS

— Robert Rees (@Rreesrugby) December 5, 2022

Gatland to lead Wales at 2 RWC’s?

The current deal will see the former Lions coach take control of Wales for the World Cup in France next year, with the option to oversee the side until the following World Cup, in 2027.

With Wales’ struggles and a hefty bill afoot, it’s not unfeasible to see Gatland take charge of the next two Rugby World Cup’s.

Backroom staff unchanged

There has been no changes to the backroom staff as of yet, although that may change depending on who ‘Gats’ wants to bring into his side.

He could well be the man to bring out the rugged edge and discipline that Wales are craving right now, and his ‘Warrenball’ smashmouth style and strong kicking game could play into the hands of current Attack Coach Stephen Jones.

Gatland will face his first games back at the helm in February when the Guinness Six Nations kicks off.

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