Wales head coach Warren Gatland has stated he “understands” followers’ frustrations after his aspect fell to a record-extending 14th straight Take a look at defeat on Saturday, later including he’s feeling the strain of these outcomes.
Wales hit a brand new low as they had been crushed 22-15 in Rome regardless of a late fightback, that means they hunch to twelfth place on the earth rankings.
The sport would have been one of many aspect’s greatest possibilities to finish their undesirable shedding run. They subsequent host holders Eire on Feb. 22 earlier than visiting Scotland on March 8, with their closing sport of the Six Nations at dwelling to England on March 15.
“I understand how onerous we’re working,” Gatland instructed S4C after the sport.
“I can perceive folks’s frustration and we’re pissed off and upset as nicely as a result of we created alternatives however we’ve made errors and the penalty rely was disappointing.
“As a training group and gamers they aren’t onerous fixes however we want to verify we focus in these key moments.”
In a post-match information convention, Gatland added: “There is no doubt it is difficult. You do query your self. The gamers are working extremely onerous however if you’re underneath strain, your decision-making goes. You’re feeling the strain as a group that hasn’t gained for some time.
“That is the identical once we’ve been in successful steaks. You possibly can see the composure of the group. That is the place we’re for the time being. We want the bounce of the ball.”
Wales prop Gareth Thomas and captain Jac Morgan admitted that spirits had been low after the ultimate whistle in Rome.
“Fairly emotional at full-time,” Thomas stated. “It is a disappointing end result and simply not ok.”
“I am gutted with the end result,” Morgan added. “We have labored onerous all week and issues simply did not go our method.
“Self-discipline allow us to down. We gave them alternatives to kick factors and that constructed the rating board to be too excessive on the finish.”
Italy went forward with a penalty within the seventh minute and by no means regarded again, dealing with the wet Rome situations significantly better than Wales, whereas their kicking sport was additionally superior.
A strive from winger Ange Capuozzo helped give them a 16-3 lead on the break, with Wales struggling to make any affect in assault.
Nonetheless, it was their ill-discipline which value Wales dearly ultimately.
A late penalty strive type Aaron Wainwright bolstered the scoreboard — and meant they scored two tries to Italy’s one — however fixed penalties saved the Azzurri’s lead ticking over all afternoon.
Fullback Tommaso Allan scored 17 factors with the boot, with only one conversion serving to his tally.
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