Rugby World Cup 2019: Warren Gatland shocked as Rob Howley sent home

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By Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales in Kitakyushu, Japan
Wales manager Warren Gatland was“shocked“ when backs coach Rob Howley was shipped home in the World Cup for an alleged betting breach.
He considers the setback won’t violate the team in Japan.
Howley’s departure came just six days prior to Wales‘ opening game.
Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Martyn Phillips confirmed there would be an investigation.
„You must deal with hardship sometimes, and it’s the way you respond and respond to this,“ said Gatland.
„We’re shocked. The Union are coping with this, and my attention must be in terms of preparing the squad.
„I must mention that the gamers in the previous 24 hours have really stepped up and they’ve been incredibly resilient and responsible, and at times that attracts teams closer together“
„At the moment, all these are allegations. Evidently, Rob was ruined by the allegations. That’s all I could say.“
Information of Howley’s departure emerged on Tuesday, with all the WRU verifying that the 48-year-old had“returned to Wales to assist with an investigation“ in connection with a prospective breach of gambling on rugby.
World Rugby’s law 6.3.1 reads:“No linked person will, directly or indirectly, wager and/or attempt to bet on the result or any aspect of any connected event and/or get or attempt to receive part or all the profits of such a bet or some other benefit regarding a wager.“
Phillips explained the WRU was initially informed of the alleged breach by the integrity team of a gambling business last Wednesday, when Wales‘ squad were travelling to Japan.
Phillips and other mature WRU figures came in Japan on Monday and later that afternoon he met Howley, who he said has been“very cooperative“.
„We then had another meeting after that day and decided the perfect plan of action is for Rob to return to Wales,“ said Phillips.
„We are on the eve of the World Cup, the biggest tournament we play in, and that was a factor.
„But, equally, we were quite aware that we had to act fast and be critical. That is precisely what we’ve done.
„I’m also very conscious that there are rather a broad assortment of stakeholders that we represent. The Welsh public and how significant this tournament would be to them not least.
„Finally, it turned into a serious allegation about Rob. He’s our employee and now we have a duty of care for him and his welfare is valuable to us“
Players and coaches are educated about betting regulations but Phillips said the alleged breach of Howley did not reflect poorly on the strategy of the WRU.
„I wouldn’t call it embarrassing. The essential point to us was as and when we had been alerted it’s what you can do,“ he said.
„It is very tough to get something about something you don’t know about. I am pleased in the way we and World Rugby have responded – what we’re currently seeing is taking the allegation seriously.
„They [coaches and players] get briefings [about betting regulations] on a regular basis and they signal to confirm they understand what’s demanded of them on a regular basis so with no shadow of a doubt I think folks in Baseball understand what’s demanded of them“
Wales have delivered to fill the gap made by the unexpected departure of Howley, along with the Scarlets backs coach will join the squad on Thursday where they face Georgia on Monday.
Jones has already been confirmed as the Wales backs coach underneath Wayne Pivac, who will take the reins following the championship from Gatland.
„I have spoken to him [Jones] and said when it comes to the game plan we’ve got for Georgia it will be different for other matches,“ said Gatland.
„He’s familiar with some of the things and continues to be watching the games as well. It’s important he has an opportunity introduce them and to bring his own thoughts.
„We are planning for the second match and we’ve spoken to the senior players about that and keeping one or two things up our sleeves.
„It’s no different to the message we send to the gamers – we are not able to not take thoughts on board. If Stephen does this great. It turned out to be a conversation that is positive.
„It has not really changed our preparation. We’ve put items in place. [Skills coach] Neil Jenkins has a massive amount of experience. Rhys Patchell and dan Biggar have taken on a massive quantity of senior players, responsibility and backs too.
„There’s a lot already set up concerning preparations for Monday – it is important we train well in the upcoming few days and make ourselves prepared.“
When news of the death of Howley broke tuesday, was Gatland birthday.
Despite the disappointment of being with no guy who was at his side Gatland did manage himself a wry grin.
„I have had better birthdays for sure,“ he explained.
„It is all part of the life adventure “
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