Image source, Huw Evans Photo Agency
Head coach Warren Gatland says he made a mistake by giving Cory Hill the Wales captaincy after the second-row pulled out of the win over Queensland Reds for “personal reasons”.
Gatland named Hill as captain on Wednesday for Friday’s game, but the player’s withdrawal from the team was announced just minutes before kick-off.
Police did not charge him, but he apologized at the time through a representative.
There was a negative reaction on social media to Gatland’s decision to name Hill captain.
“Cory came to me and said that for personal reasons he was pulling out of the game,” Gatland said.
“So I had to respect the decision he had made to do that.
“I’ll raise my hand and say I probably shouldn’t have put him in that position.
“I chose him because of what he’s been doing here. It was a rugby decision I made.”
“It probably doesn’t help when you get some negativity; it makes things harder.
“I probably could have overturned it if I hadn’t chosen him for that position. I have to be held accountable for that.”
“I probably didn’t realize there was going to be some negativity in making that decision. Like I said, I probably underestimated some of that.”
Gatland said Wales Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney and chief rugby officer Nigel Walker had not been involved in any of the rugby decisions made this week.
Speaking at a press conference after being named captain, Hill said he regretted the 2021 incident and publicly apologised, while Gatland explained at the time why he thought the second-row should be his captain for this game.
Gatland reiterated his claim that forgiveness must be sought.
“There are many athletes who have been through similar situations and for whatever reason have come back to the fray,” Gatland said.
“I thought he was brilliant on Wednesday (at the press conference), I thought he was genuine in terms of his apology for something that happened three years ago.
“The fact is that he was not arrested or charged. He raised his hand and said he had made a mistake.
“How long do you have to wait before people stop throwing things at you?
“There are many examples of athletes who have committed fouls and have returned to play.”
Gatland had included Hill in his summer squad, despite the former Cardiff second-row now playing club rugby in the fourth tier of Japanese rugby.
Hill returned for his first taste of international rugby in three years with replacement appearances against Australia in Sydney and Melbourne in a 2-0 series defeat.
“What I can say is that he has been absolutely brilliant since he has been here in terms of his leadership, his experience and how he has helped the young players,” Gatland said.
Hill has signed with Japanese side Secon Ruggets for next season.
Gatland has spoken about the possibility of Hill playing in the next World Cup.
“It’s probably about having a chat with him about where he is,” Gatland said.
“He’s got a one-year contract in Japan and then (it’s a case of) probably evaluating him from there.
“I think I could potentially try to return to Wales and some of the regions.
“If that’s the case, he has the experience and could potentially return to the fold.”
