ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

'Laughing all the way to the bank' - Mike Phillips blasts Warren Gatland following recent results

BY Jack Tunney  ·  Monday Nov 11, 2024

Former Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips has hit out at current head coach Warren Gatland following a series of poor results from the national side.

ADVERTISEMENT

Phillips, who used to play under Gatland in the national side, clearly has his own hang-ups with the old boss, letting his feelings well and truly known on X.

“Loads of positives yeah, you’re on 600k a year and don’t even have to win! How the WRU bring this guy back is just nuts! Laughing all the way to the bank.

Phillips, who spent seven years in Welsh camps under Gatland’s tutelage in addition to two British and Irish Lions tours in 2009 and 2013, clearly feels no affinity to his former coach.

“When I see this guy talking about family makes me cringe. Did he speak to me at the end of my career, did he f! I won for this guy. This bloke is only out for himself, and it kills me to see all this bullshit praise he’s getting. He deserves to be kicked out, like he did to so many quality Welsh players.”

Phillips’s tweets came in the wake os Wales’ 24-19 loss to Fiji—marking their 10th straight defeat. Despite the loss Gatland expressed optimism, telling TNT Sports that the game had “a lot of positives.”

This incident is the latest in a line of shots from the former scrumhalf who appeared last year on RugbyPass’ Offload podcast, where he questioned Gatland’s motivation, saying, “Why has he taken this [Wales] role? He had the perfect story as Welsh coach… it just seems… what’s his ‘Why?’ to come back and coach? Is it purely for money, or what’s the reason?”

ADVERTISEMENT

Phillips then speculated that Gatland’s lack of success in New Zealand may have influenced his decision to return to a role where he had previously enjoyed unprecedented success.

In another shot across the bow of his former coach, Phillips conducted a Q&A with French media outlet Midi Olympique Rugbyrama, where he expanded on his doubts, suggesting that the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) should have opted for fresh leadership. “No one is forever… you should have moved on,” he stated, acknowledging Gatland’s accomplishments but questioning the WRU’s strategic foresight. Phillips argued that the choice of Gatland, while nostalgic, overlooks the deeper issues plaguing Welsh rugby: “The federation could have taken the best coach in the world, but I don’t think the team would have won more.”

Phillips, who was pivotal to Wales’ Grand Slam victories in 2008 and 2012 and the dominant 2013 Championship, believes Gatland’s era ended perfectly. This scepticism toward Gatland’s return underscores his concern that, in a results-driven sport, Welsh rugby’s struggles run deeper than the head coach alone but that he is certainly part of the problem.

Louis Rees-Zammit joins Jim Hamilton for the latest episode of Walk the Talk to discuss his move to the NFL. Watch now on RugbyPass TV

Related Articles

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Autumn Nations Series | Team of the week | week two

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Debate raging following Scotland red card vs Springboks



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 99 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 99 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 122 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 122 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 122 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

View All