Matt Sherratt’s goals for important WRU Japan Tour

National World - LocalTV

Wales’ interim head coach Matt Sherratt will lead the national team on a two-Test tour of Japan this July, aiming to end a 17-match losing streak.  This tour marks Wales’ first visit to Japan since 2013, providing an opportunity to rebuild.

Transcript

00:00Now, Matt Sherratt is to return as the interim head coach of the Wales national men's rugby team

00:09for their tour in Japan.

00:11There had been a lot of speculation as to who would become the next permanent head coach of the Wales team,

00:15but we are yet to find a successor to Warren Garland.

00:18And so Matt Sherratt once again standing in following his standing period during the Six Nations.

00:25So it's an interesting one because, of course, Wales on this horrid losing streak of games

00:31and they'll look at this Japan tour as an opportunity probably to get some wins on the board

00:35and just end the torrid streak of defeats.

00:39And yet it's also a bit of a banana skin as well because Japan these days is a rugby mad country

00:44and they'll have a lot of tough tests with the Welsh team,

00:48depending on what teams they put out as well to play in the games that they have on tour.

00:52So from Matt Sherratt's point of view, he has to navigate this as best he possibly can.

00:58This is not to say he wants the job on a permanent basis,

01:00but just for the pride of the Welsh national team,

01:02they need to get through this as best as they can without suffering too many defeats

01:07and adding to their long list of recent losses in international rugby.

01:13So let's go now to our Wales sports correspondent, Charles Higg-Jones.

01:16Charles, firstly, what can Matt Sherratt do just to have damage limitation on this tour

01:23and make sure that it is a success and that Wales aren't embarrassed once again

01:27as they were in the Six Nations, but also what will he be thinking in terms of the head coach role?

01:32Does he still not want it, want it perhaps even?

01:36And if he doesn't, who should Wales be looking for?

01:39Because, of course, it's been a little while now since the Six Nations and Warren Gatlin left.

01:42So Wales do need to get a bit of a hurry up in terms of starting the foundations for a new era.

01:49Yeah, Matt Sherratt's obviously a great background and coaching journey.

01:54You have to look at him at Cardiff.

01:56Obviously, previously stepped in as Wales interim coach during the Six Nations as well,

02:01following Warren Gatlin's departure.

02:02You know, you have to look at a few factors as to why he is the chosen one at the moment.

02:07So many players have come out and said, you know, they've enjoyed his working under him.

02:12They've enjoyed his spell in terms of the national team.

02:15And he himself said, you know, there's a lot to do in terms of the nation for Wales.

02:19But, you know, a bit of confidence, a bit of positivity had really shifted emotion, obviously.

02:24You know, he came in and the confidence was going in the right direction.

02:29They obviously suffered then a record loss to England in the Six Nations in a home defeat by their biggest landscape ever,

02:38which is unbelievable, really, considering the way Sherratt had shifted them.

02:42But, you know, that's England on their rise.

02:44Wales are just lacking behind in terms of where they need to be, where they want to be in their world rugby ranking quest as well.

02:52So, you know, it's a really tough situation for Wales at the moment.

02:56You know, obviously appointed for the Japan Tour, he will resume his role as interim head coach,

03:02which means, you know, one of two things.

03:05Firstly, for me, it shows that he's the guy at the moment.

03:08He's the go-to guy.

03:09He's the safe pair of hands that they're relying on.

03:12But secondly, there's underlying problems there.

03:14Wales have, you know, really, really struggled to get someone to take this job on.

03:18And 17 losses in a row, he needs to try and put an end to that.

03:22Is it going to come soon?

03:23You don't know.

03:24And Japan actually now proves a massive test.

03:26Obviously, just one below them in the world rankings in 13th, Wales 12th.

03:32One of the lowest they've ever been as a rugby nation as well.

03:35So, yeah, massive challenge for Sherratt.

03:37I think he is the right man to do it.

03:39Obviously, he's got a great coaching team around him.

03:42Gethys Jenkins, Adam Jones, Tyrese Thomas and Danny Wilson,

03:47obviously the Harley Quinns head coach as well.

03:49We know the situation with Welsh rugby at the moment with the PRA agreement.

03:52It's all over the shop, really, in terms of Welsh rugby.

03:56But this tour could actually prove us a bit of a, you know, a bit of a boundary,

04:01a bit of a clean slate.

04:02And they are hoping for it.

04:04Obviously, Dewey Lake named captain.

04:06Only two players on the British and Irish Lions tour for Wales.

04:09So, they're going to have to go for it.

04:12They're going to have to try and end this streak.

04:14And then, you know, it could influence his position at Cardiff,

04:18you know, potentially affecting future coaching appointments, obviously.

04:23But I do think Sherratt is the man to lead Wales and end this torrid run

04:28that they've been on and turn things around and hopefully have more of a positive end,

04:33you know, mid to end of the year.

04:35And then they can kick on in the future after getting some appointments

04:38that are very much needed in terms of the WIU at the moment.

04:43So, let's see.

04:45Let's see.

04:46Let's see.

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