Warren Gatland sees bigger picture

There is honour among coaches. Warren Gatland knows a thing or two with regard to criticism. During the week he took time to offer empathetic support in a phone message to Stuart Lancaster, describing the vitriol that engulfed England's failure "as a little bit of an assassination by the media".

His point was that an on-field decision to kick that late penalty to the corner rather than at the posts superseded everything that had gone before in the match.

“If they had potentially taken those three points, I don’t think all this would have been the same. I rang Stuart during the week and he texted me back to say that he appreciated the support.

Battle of wits

“I said that I [got in touch] to give him that support, make sure he was okay and more importantly that him and his family were. To me that’s more important than the rugby. We all understand the pressures of professional sport.”

The last sentiment though is the nub of the issue. The bottom line in professional sport is the result and the rest is window dressing after a fashion. On Saturday the two coaches, Gatland and Australia's Michael Cheika, who shooed England out of the tournament, will indulge in their own battle of wits.

Cheika tossed the first verbal bouquet last weekend and now it was Gatland's turn to reciprocate. He chuckled: "I don't think they can afford me. He (Cheika) said the same [about Lancaster] the week before. For what Michael has done . . . he went into Leinster to an incredibly talented group of players that had underperformed and he put structure and discipline into Leinster and was incredibly successful.

“He did the same with the Waratahs. To me it looks like he has done the same to the Australian team. [They are] incredibly talented players, who know what they are doing [and] have unity and discipline. That’s what they need and that’s what he is very, very good at doing.

“He is straight up, he is honest and I think the Australians respect and appreciate that approach to the way that he coaches. He has done a fantastic job with them and he is a world-class coach, definitely.”

Wales and Australia announced their respective teams for Saturday's game at Twickenham and what comes through emphatically is that both coaches have tailored selection to a clearly defined end.

It is in marked contrast to Lancaster’s dithering compromise, in personnel and strategy that failed to take specific account of the challenges posed by the opposition.

Gatland has taken steps to curtail Australia's domination of the breakdown by introducing Justin Tipuric at openside flanker and moving captain Sam Warburton to the number six jersey.

Dan Lydiate could have played despite the damage to an eye socket but his coach told him that he was being rested.

Cheika, who lost Michael Hooper to a one-match suspension during the week, replaced him with another genuine openside flanker in Sean McMahon so as to retain the balance in approach and patterns.

Gatland introduced Gareth Anscombe at fullback, moved Liam Williams to the wing, shifted George North into centre and elected to rest Gethin Jenkins, not including him in the match-day squad.

He had a reason for everything, clear and concise. “The two times they have played together, Jamie (Roberts) and George (North), I think we scored seven tries. It just gives us that footwork and a physical presence in that midfield.

‘The pedigree’

“Gareth (Anscombe) has played a lot at fullback. Two years ago he played in the Super Rugby final for the Chiefs at fullback. He’s experienced, has the pedigree. We wanted to throw something a little bit different at Australia. I’m excited by the backline.

“Justin (Tipuric) deserves an opportunity. He’s been absolutely outstanding in the warm-up games and when he has played [in the tournament]. It just gives us options. [It’s about] matching them at the breakdown. It’s going to be a fierce contest. We have two real world-class players at six and seven that can compete at the breakdown for us.

“Paul James needed to play. Given his (Gethin Jenkins) injury history in the past, after three or four games in a row, he has broken down. We just wanted to keep him fit and fresh potentially for the quarter-finals.”

Cheika has made three changes from the side that beat England, two unforced with Hooper’s suspension and an injury to Rob Horne.

Drew Mitchell comes in on the wing, McMahon is at openside and the one selection issue sees Dean Mumm preferred to Rob Simmons with the latter dropping to the bench.

Izzy Folau came through training having rolled an ankle and being replaced against England.

It promises to be a fascinating tussle both on the field and in the coaches’ box.