Wales can still test Wallabies without coach

George North admits it will be “weird” when Wales travel to Australia without Warren Gatland, but insists they can emerge victorious down under despite the absence of their coach.

Double Grand Slam winner Gatland is recovering from foot injuries he suffered in a fall at home in New Zealand this month. The Kiwi, favourite to lead the British & Irish Lions to Australia in 2013, broke both his heels and Rob Howley has been named caretaker.

The RBS Six Nations champions face a tough summer with a three-Test series against the Wallabies after a Millennium Stadium appointment with the Barbarians. Wales have won just one game against the southern hemisphere giants of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia since Gatland took charge after the 2007 World Cup.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But winger North, 20, has every confidence that Wales can compete with the Wallabies, and backs Howley to fill the void.

“It’s obviously bad news for Warren and we hope it’s a speedy recovery,” said the Scarlets back. “But I am sure Rob will do a good job as all the other coaching staff will do. It will maybe affect us a little bit with the head coach not out there, but the quality of players we have now and the quality if the coaching staff is very high.

“It will be a bit weird not having him there but I am sure we can cope.”

Wales’ previous efforts to build on Grand Slam success in 2005 and 2008 fell short, but North says there is no lack of hunger following their latest Six Nations clean sweep.

“We have been guilty in the past of slowing down after a slam but the boys are keen to push on and achieve more. We believe we can do that with the quality of players we have,” he said. “Australia are a hard team to play wherever you play them but it will be tough to play three Tests in their backyard. But it’s where we need to be, we need to push ourselves to see where we are as a team and a squad.”