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Clayton McMillan responds to Warren Gatland chatter: 'I know a lot has been written in the media'

Warren Gatland and Clayton McMillan. (Photos by Getty Images)

Interim Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan has weighed in on speculation surrounding Warren Gatland’s future with the team.

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The former policeman has gone from a rookie Super Rugby coach to one on the lips of players and pundits alike, thanks largely in part to the four-match winning streak the Chiefs have enjoyed in Super Rugby Aotearoa over the past month.

Not only are the Chiefs a real chance to make the final, one more victory would give McMillan a better coaching record than the vastly experienced Gatland who hasn’t been seen in the region since late last year.

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Comparisons were always inevitable, and now that the Chiefs appear more settled across the board, McMillan decided it was time to tackle some of the media speculation about his predecessor who is currently offshore with the British and Irish Lions.

“I want to take this opportunity because I know a lot has been written in the media about the team going well and Gats [Gatland] being away,” McMillan said. “Our team is only going to be better with him being involved in this environment and while I’m really happy to be leading the team this year in an interim role, I always knew it was going to be an interim role with Gats coming back.”

McMillan and Gatland have regularly touched base after each game, but in the eyes of some media pundits, an awkward situation arises once Gatland retakes the reigns next season, especially if the Chiefs were to go all the way this year.

Much of the discussion has only come about because of the Chiefs’ turnaround in fortunes and the curious nature to the original deal with Gatland, a deal which allowed the 57-year-old to miss the entire 2021 season due to his Lions commitments, effectively ushering in McMillan for a one-stint head coaching role before shifting back down the ranks.

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“One of the real attractions for me was to work alongside a man of that level of experience,” McMillan said. “Absolutely nothing has changed and this environment will be all the better for it.”

McMillan credits the adversity the Chiefs went through in 2020 for their turnaround in results, saying his job has been made easy by the collective drive to avoid a similar losing run ever happening again.

“To be really fair, the adversity the team went through and the collective feeling that no one wanted to go through again has really made my job easy.”

Getting the victory over the four-time defending champions hasn’t come without a cost. In form loose forward Luke Jacobson will miss the next match due to concussion after waking up on Sunday feeling worse for wear following a knock against the Crusaders.

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It’s a worry given Jacobson’s history with concussion but reports out of Chiefs camp are that the 24-year-old has returned to training in the gym in good spirits.

“Luke woke up on Sunday feeling a little bit dusty so we just ruled him out of the week but he’s been back in the gym today looking bright as anything so there are no real concerns.”

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TI 54 minutes ago
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Rieko took literally years to turn from a defensive liability at 13 into a guy, who’s defensively sound as it befits the position. And it all came at the cost of him being much less of an offensive threat, than what he used to be. Proctor is a natural 13, he handles, passes, and kicks way better than Rieko ever will, he just isn’t as fast.


It’s unfair to judge Tupaea on the handful of games he’s had in 2022 before he got nearly crippled by a Wallaby lock. What could Tupaea/Proctor pairing be, if they got the same amount of chances as Jordie/Rieko?


Because no matter how you spin it, playing a player outside of his natural position is a poor asset management. No matter how talented he is, he still competes against players who had years and years of practice at the position. And if said guy is so talented that he actually CAN compete against specialists, imagine how much better still he could have been, if he had all those years to iron the toothing issues at the position. It just drives me mad.


Two things I hate in rugby union beyond description: aping after league, and playing players outside of their natural position. Especially considering, that they all admit they hate it, when they’re allowed to speak freely. Owen Farrell spent 80% of his international career at 12, saying every time when asked, that he is a 10 and prefers to play at 10. Those players are literally held at a gunpoint: play out of position, or no national jersey for you.

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Hellhound 1 hour ago
What has happened to Aphelele Fassi?

Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.


Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.


As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.

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