Warren Gatland ‘asking to be fired’ after ‘disgusting’ Wales captaincy call
Wales head coach Warren Gatland in 2024.
Warren Gatland has been criticised after selecting Cory Hill as the Wales captain for Friday’s clash with the Queensland Reds.
The second-row forward will lead a team in Brisbane which features several changes as they complete their tour of Australia.
Hill was a controversial pick when the initial Wales squad was announced after he was involved in an incident which saw a group of men attack a woman’s home in May 2021.
The victim stated that she feared for her and her children’s lives, but the lock was not charged by police.
Two appearances off the bench
He had not appeared for the national team since that incident three years ago. However, the 32-year-old came off the bench against the Wallabies in the first Test earlier this month and did the same a week later in the 36-28 defeat in Melbourne.
Gatland last month stated that he felt time was a healer and that Hill could be in the international mix for the next few years.
“He has [apologised] and that was dealt with by Cardiff. For us, that time-frame has gone,” the head coach said.
“He’s been in the [team HQ] training and we’ve had a conversation with him about potentially being available through to the World Cup.”
Wales’ boss has now made him skipper for Friday’s uncapped clash, a decision which has been slammed.
Presenter and reporter Beth Fisher criticised Gatland, writing on X, formerly Twitter: “An absolutely disgraceful decision to make Cory Hill captain. Just when you thought they couldn’t set any more bad examples…”
Another person added: “You know Welsh rugby is at a low point when Cory Hill is named as captain, shocking decision!”
Wales have lost nine Tests in a row, which has raised questions about the head coach’s future. Gatland offered to step down following their Six Nations disaster, which was rejected by the Welsh Rugby Union, but some fans have joked that he is trying to get himself sacked.
“Gatland surely asking to be fired by picking Cory Hill as his captain. I’ll be cheering on the Reds,” one wrote.
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WRU scandal
The WRU were embroiled in a scandal last year after allegations of sexism, misogyny, racism and homophobia within the organisation.
A damning report found that the governing body had not properly challenged discrimination, with female employees being subjected to sexist and homophobic language.
As the WRU looks to clean up its act, many feel that naming Hill as skipper is unforgivable.
“I have to echo what many have already said. Cory Hill captaining the side is disgusting given his past,” journalist Robert Rees wrote.
“The WRU reform was supposed to enable equity and fairness for all, and enabling him in such a role is a disappointing statement of intent from the coaching staff.”
Another person added: “#WelshRugby has been dying a slow death for sometime, through scandal after scandal, but I have persisted because it’s my team but no longer.
“As long as Cory Hill is associated with the team, I will never put another pound in the #WRU pocket. Women deserve better.”
It is not just the past which is causing consternation but also the present, with Hill currently plying his trade well down the Japanese rugby pyramid.
“Cory Hill as captain?! Clearly Gats wants to be sacked because that’s some shocking decision making. Excluding his violent past choosing a 4th division Japanese player as captain is wild,” one person wrote.
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