CARDIFF, Wales — In a strategic move aimed at the autumn rugby clash with Fiji on Sunday, Wales opted for a somewhat unconventional selection by naming only two reserve backs.
Coach Warren Gatland introduced a rare 6-2 split of forwards and backs for the bench, citing the recent lack of playtime for several forwards. He believed that the backs were sufficiently covered in all contingencies, barring an injury to winger Mason Grady.
Unfortunately, just 17 minutes into the match, Grady suffered an injury. He was substituted by flyhalf Sam Costelow, but Gatland later admitted that the wrong decision was made in selecting Costelow to come on at that moment.
The coach recognized that backup scrumhalf Ellis Bevan should have been the one brought onto the field instead of Costelow. “Teams manage to pull off a 6-2 split without any issues, but as soon as we try it, the one position we were most vulnerable in—wing—ends up with an injury to Mason Grady,” Gatland expressed. He noted the challenge placed on Costelow due to the situation.
“Perhaps we should have opted for Ellis Bevan’s inclusion,” he continued. “We discussed this at length, and it was decided that Ellis would take the field. Yet, Sam ended up running on. He probably thought he was the one being sent in.”
Costelow played on the wing until the 65th minute, at which point starting flyhalf Gareth Anscombe was substituted. This allowed Costelow to transition to flyhalf while Bevan entered the match on the right wing, where he promptly scored a try shortly after.
Despite these efforts, Wales now finds itself on a record-tying streak of ten consecutive test losses, having not won a match this year. The team is set to face off against Australia next weekend.
When asked if he regretted implementing the 6-2 bench strategy, Gatland replied, “Perhaps.”