Gatland: Carter won’t start
6 Nov 2009
Warren Gatland expects Stephen Donald or Mike Delany to start against Wales as he reckons Dan Carter is not fit.
Carter has been named to start for the All Blacks despite picking up an injury in last Saturday’s win over the Wallabies. Gatland believes the New Zealand management are playing mind games, and Carter will watch the match from the stands.
‘We don’t think [Carter] will be fit to play,’ Gatland told BBC Sport Wales. ‘It’s one of the reasons they’ve named [scrum-half] Brendan Leonard, it gives them a left- and right-foot kicking option. It’s whether they go with Stephen Donald or Mike Delany at 10.’
The Wales coach hinted at what a loss this could be for the tourists, but diplomatically ended by saying the Dragons won’t underestimate the All Blacks’ second-string.
‘A lot’s been said about the fact that when Dan Carter and Richie McCaw don’t play for the All Blacks they’re maybe a bit vulnerable. We’ll just take it in our stride and prepare accordingly, it doesn’t matter whoever’s playing for the All Blacks, they’ve always got quality players and strength in depth.’
15 Comments
6 Nov 2009, 15:28 pm
God this guy is becoming a mouth and boring, the only one playing mind games is Gatland in his own mind. I hope the Abs smash his average team.
6 Nov 2009, 15:30 pm
Go WALES!!!!!
Take them Kiwis….Gatland….tell them like it is!
6 Nov 2009, 15:34 pm
#2 grant10: Hahahaha winding them up on another thread hey?
Wales mustnt get too mouthy though – they must walk the walk on the field.
Remember last year when they didnt move after the Haka – that was very cool and made an impact. But they failed to close that game in the 2nd half. Hopefully they’ve learnt from it. I reckon their B&I Lions players will have learnt about tough, tight games
As much as I hate the little ****, it would help them if Philips was playing – he is a great scrummie when he isnt being an idiot (90% of the time)
6 Nov 2009, 15:44 pm
This is already the Old Testament – quoted yest/Thurs evening – cmon Keo, time we heard the Modern Book isnt it ?
DC is training in the Capts Run as we speak.
6 Nov 2009, 16:59 pm
Hayi wena Gatland voetsek man ! Coach rugby and leave the talking to journos etc !
6 Nov 2009, 18:00 pm
surely WArren Gatalnd has an even bigger mouth thn PDV at least PDv is funny
6 Nov 2009, 18:07 pm
#6 mbaxman93: they both don’t really know how to handle the media
6 Nov 2009, 19:36 pm
Im with u mbaxman n west..this man should shut up already.He’ll get his chance to talk after the game..explaining why Wales are still winless against NZ after 5 decades.
6 Nov 2009, 19:43 pm
boring mind games. He’s playing
6 Nov 2009, 21:32 pm
Watch the excuses he makes in the press on Sunday.. This guy is a joke and way out of his depth against Father Ted and his crew..
7 Nov 2009, 00:30 am
#8 Rage: (Old wisdom) The art of being a politician – to predict what will happen and then even more convincingly explain why it din’t.
7 Nov 2009, 04:36 am
#11 Nils – Spoken like a true word!
7 Nov 2009, 09:22 am
Gatland: Carter won’t start
Nils: Wales won’t last
7 Nov 2009, 10:50 am
Gee if Gatland says Carter won’t start then clearly he won’t….GO ALL BLACKS. Shut this man up for once and all!!!
7 Nov 2009, 15:11 pm
Gotnoland and his Village Idiots are about to be exposed. By morning they will back hiding under their ewes.
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.