Warren Gatland claims the Wales team were”shocked” by the news of Rob Howley’s alleged breach of World Rugby’s betting and anti-corruption regulations.
On Tuesday, Wales assistant coach Howley was sent prior to their tournament opener against Georgia, and has been suspended from all things regarding rugby.
He’ll be banned instantly from the tournament pending a hearing. Meanwhile is currently flying out to substitute him.
“We were shocked by it,” Gatland told a media conference in Kitakyushu on Wednesday.
“At the present time, all these are allegations. Rob is ruined by the allegations.”
The 48-year-old former Wales captain has been part of the training team of Gatland since 2008.
Gatland added:”It required a bit of time to sink . It is now we turn a difficult situation.
“I texted Rob to see just how he got home and he had been OK.”
The 56-year-old mentor admitted:”You have to manage hardship occasionally the players have really stepped down. We have got to draw a line in the sand.
“My attention has to be on preparing the team for the first World Cup match against Georgia. Preparations have altered. It’ll focus us. It’s important we concentrate on the rugby.”
Chief executive Martyn Phillips stated in sending Howley home the Welsh Rugby Union had to act.
“We were contacted on Wednesday last week, then contacted officially with some additional information on Friday,” explained Phillips.
“We needed to be quick and decisive. We were conscious that we behaved in ways you’d expect a body to act.
“After receptive training on Monday, we sat down with Rob. He was. The formal process will continue back in Wales.
“There’ll be an investigation. It is a fairly serious allegation. The investigation hasn’t started. There are agencies to handle. My focus is on doing it correctly.
“We’ve made a shift, and that I think we stick with that change now. Stephen is now coming and he is in for the course.”
World Rugby has also stated that it”fully supports” the Welsh Rugby Union’s”proactive strategy” within the Howley allegations.
A statement titled:”World Rugby has been informed from the Welsh Rugby Union with a prospective violation of World Rugby Legislation 6 (especially gambling on rugby) by a part of their union’s RWC 2019 coaching group.
“World Rugby fully supports the WRU’s proactive solution to the matter and can affirm that the marriage is keeping us informed of their first talks.
“It would be wrong to comment further? Within an evolving and open process.”
Read more here: http://modernmusichistory.com/?p=29118
Recent Comments