TOKYO – Wales backrower Josh Navidi has
been ruled out of the remainder of the Rugby World Cup after
tearing his hamstring during the first half of Sunday's
quarter-final victory over France, coach Warren Gatland said on
Monday.
Gatland told a news conference that Navidi would be replaced
with a back, rather than another forward, because of concerns
over others in the squad. Chief among those is centre Jonathan
Davies, who was withdrawn from Sunday's team at the last minute.
"He's got a grade two (hamstring tear) and will be ruled
out," Gatland said of Navidi. "We have a process that we need to
go through with World Rugby.
"Given we brought six backrowers and have five fit at the
moment and have been a little bit short in numbers in the backs,
then it will probably be a back who comes out as a
replacement."
"It is disappointing for him because he has been so
influential for us over the past 12 months."
Gatland added that Navidi has been an influential player
over the past 12 months but expects both Davies and fellow
midfield back Hadleigh Parkes, who played on Sunday with a
broken hand, to be available for the semi-final.
So humbled by all the messages I have received, thank you all so much 🙌🏽 To have had the chance to play in the World Cup is something that I’ve dreamt of since I was a child and it’s been amazing. This isn't the way I wanted it to end but I know the boys will bring it home 👊🏽 pic.twitter.com/DDgZajTNTT
— Josh Navidi (@Jnavidi) October 21, 2019
"He (Davies) was touch and go for the weekend. The difficult
decision with Jonathan was going into the game with two
midfielders who weren't 100%," Gatland said.
"Hadleigh still has a broken bone in his hand and was also
carrying a shoulder contusion, so to have one centre who was fit
was pretty important for us."
Gatland also admitted that his side had used up their "get
out of jail free card" in their 20-19 victory over a French team
reduced to 14 men by Sebastien Vahaamahina's red card and will
need to raise their game against the Springboks in Yokohama.
"We're pretty familiar with the way they play. I think they
were trying to be a bit too expansive in the way they played a
few years ago," the New Zealander said.
"They've gone back to their strengths - and their strengths
are definitely that physicality up front, with driving lineouts
and a strong scrum and ball-carrying."
The list of South Africa's attributes didn't stop there.
"And a good kicking game as well. So you've got to be able
to handle (all) those threats. They've got a couple of pretty
exciting wingers, too," he said.
Yet Gatland, who is stepping down after the tournament to
take charge at his hometown club Waikato Chiefs, remains
confident that Wales have their best chance to win a first World
Cup if they get past South Africa.
"You get these opportunities once in a lifetime and you've
got to grab them with both hands," he said.
"It's about having no regrets. That's the message of this
week."