Players eager to avoid politics but appeal for time
Wales have less than ten weeks to find a winning formula as the countdown to the Six Nations begins.
The beleaguered team will head into the tournament opener in Paris on 31 January on the back of 12 Test losses in a row.
Warren Gatland expects to learn his fate following the usual post-campaign review by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).
The head coach says he needs more time to mould a young squad into Test match contenders and has been backed to do so by flanker James Botham.
But the Cardiff forward, whose late try against South Africa prevented a record-margin home loss for Wales, also voiced the difficulties faced by a squad feeling as though caught in a whirlwind.
"My job is just to play. I’m not a CEO or a politician. I turn up, do what I’m told and give everything for my country," said Botham.
As the WRU reviews performances, an annual general meeting on Sunday met to discuss the bigger problems in the game in Wales while the regions look to agree a new deal over the professional game.
"I don’t get bogged down in all that [because] if you do, it can be quite a negative place," added Botham.
"There has been a lot of negativity around recently but you’ve got to put that in the back pocket."
South Africa outmuscled and outclassed Wales but Gatland believes there were positive signs as well as consolation tries for Rio Dyer and then at the death from Botham.
"I wouldn’t say it was about proving a point [but] the boys showed how much they care and how together we are as a unit," said 26-year-old Botham.
"All teams transition. Some take longer than others. It’s a journey and we’ve definitely got a few more stops before we get to the final destination. The more we stay together, the better we’ll be."
Botham, a Six Nations winner in 2021, has been one of the few standout performers of the autumn for Wales, not least in combining with Jac Morgan for almost 50 tackles against South Africa.
But Wales cannot simply tackle their way to victory and know they must find a physical edge to have any hope against France in the new year.
"Australia were under the pump at one time, but they’ve spent more time together and now they’re starting to get results," said Botham.
"We’ve got more games to come and the Six Nations is a new competition where we can set new goals.
"We can all work on things and come back a better team with more time together, to gel and improve."
