Warren Gatland has admitted he made a mistake by naming Cory Hill as Wales captain for the final of Australia’s tour against Queensland Reds.
Second-row forward Hill has withdrawn from Friday’s match for “personal reasons”, it was announced shortly before kick-off in Brisbane.
Gatland’s decision to name the 32-year-old captain, which sparked a backlash on social media, was revealed on Wednesday when Hill told reporters he regretted an incident that occurred three years ago and publicly apologised.
Hill was named among a group of people who damaged a woman’s home in May 2021. Police did not charge him and he apologized at the time through a representative.
“Cory came to me and said that for personal reasons he was pulling out of the game so I had to respect the decision he made,” Wales head coach Gatland said in his post-match press conference.
“Look, I raised my hand and said I probably shouldn’t have put him in that position.
“What he’s been doing here in terms of experience, it was a rugby decision I made.
“It probably doesn’t help you 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.”
“What I can say is that he has been absolutely brilliant since he has been here in terms of his leadership, his experience, how he has helped and worked with the young players.
“I probably looked at it from a rugby perspective and didn’t realise there was going to be some negativity in making that decision. I probably underestimated some of that.
“There are many athletes in the past who have gone through similar situations and for some reason have returned to the fray.
“I think you have to realize that I thought he was brilliant on Wednesday, that he was genuine in his apology for something that happened more than three years ago.
“The fact is that he was not arrested or charged, but he put his hand up and was honest about the fact that he had made a mistake.”
Wales recorded their first win of the year, beating the Reds 36-35, after eight successive defeats that included a Six Nations wooden spoon and a 2-0 Test series loss to Australia.
But they needed a try from Kieran Hardy with a minute remaining to clinch victory after having let a 17-point lead slip midway through the third quarter.
Regan Grace marked his first Wales appearance by scoring a try, with the former St Helens rugby league star producing a superb finish in the 18th minute in just his third union game since switching codes.
Prop Archie Griffin, Grace’s partner Rio Dyer, flanker Christ Tshiunza and centre Nick Tompkins also scored, with fly-half Sam Costelow kicking three conversions.
Meanwhile, Queensland hooker Richie Asiata bagged a hat-trick and winger Mac Grealy scored two tries. James O’Connor scored all five tries as the Reds pushed Wales to the brink of defeat in a thrilling encounter.
“Regan finished the try exceptionally well,” Gatland added.
“What impressed me about him is that you can see he’s played at the highest level because he made some really good defensive decisions and also some good reads. I think he’ll only get better as a rugby player.”
“They attacked us again and again, but the players showed a lot of character. I think this team is going to be good, we just need a little time together.”
