Wellington: Wales coach Warren Gatland revealed on Friday his players were drawing inspiration from an unlikely source for their upcoming series against New Zealand – the modestly rated Georgia national team.
While Georgia are far removed from the top rugby nations, Gatland was impressed with the way they stood up to the All Blacks at last year’s Rugby World Cup.
“We’ve said to our players go and have a look at the Georgia game in the World Cup – there were a lot of mistakes that the All Blacks made,” Gatland told reporters in Auckland.
“They were obviously ring-rusty as a team and they got better as the tournament went along.”
Georgia were eventually overwhelmed 43-10 in the pool match at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium and New Zealand went on to win the tournament and claim back-to-back titles.
But Georgia rattled their more fancied opponents with bone-jarring tackles and a strong scrum, giving a possible clue to Gatland’s tactics for the upcoming three-Test series in New Zealand.
Written off as 14-1 outsiders by Kiwi bookies, Gatland said Wales hoped the All Blacks would struggle as New Zealand begin a new era without superstars such as Richie McCaw and Dan Carter.
“It’s going to be tough but we’re not here just to make up the numbers and we’re not here to start the rebuilding phase of New Zealand rugby either,” said the New Zealander, himself a former All Black.
Wales have not defeated the All Blacks since 1953 and have never won a Test on New Zealand soil in seven attempts.
The first Test is in Auckland on June 11.
