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Date: 2023-11-30 02:38:07 | Author: Online Sports | Views: 284 | Tag: vivo
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Warren Gatland is to remain as Wales head coach and lead them to the 2027 World Cup vivo
Gatland placed his future in the hands of the Welsh Rugby Union following his side’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina on Saturday vivo
The 60-year-old New Zealander, pointing to a break-up clause in his contract, said: “If the union want to get rid of me, that’s up to them vivo
”But asked at a press conference on Wednesday whether he will stay through to the next World Cup in Australia, Gatland said: “Absolutely vivo
That’s the plan vivo
“I had a joke with Nigel (Walker, interim WRU chief executive) before and said ‘You can’t get rid of me’ vivo
“I think my contract said if we didn’t get out of the pool they had a clause that said they could get rid of me vivo
I said: ‘If you do want to pay me off that’s up to you’ vivo
But I’m excited what we can do as a group vivo
”Gatland was joined at the press conference by Walker, the former Wales wing who has stood in as WRU interim CEO since the end of January and will become the executive director of rugby at the start of next year vivo
Walker said: “To be successful in international sport you have to have good coaches and good players vivo
“To be a good coach you need experience, miles on the clock, understand your craft, get your message across to players, and players have to trust you vivo
“You’ve seen the growth in the squad in a relatively small period of time and, like Warren, I’m really excited what the next four years can bring vivo
“We’ve got something to build on and we know we can grow the standard of the squad to an even greater level we saw over the last four or five weeks vivo
”Wales were written off by many before the World Cup after a difficult 12 months, which saw them suffer an embarrassing defeat to Georgia and head coach Wayne Pivac sacked in December vivo
Gatland, who coached Wales vivo between 2007 and 2019, returned to oversee a Six Nations campaign that produced only one victory after the players had threatened to take strike action over contractual issues vivo
Ken Owens, captain in that campaign, described Wales as the “laughing stock” of world rugby, but Gatland believes Wales will move forward after topping their World Cup pool with wins over Australia, Fiji, Georgia and Portugal vivo
“We’ve got an opportunity to bring some youngsters in and build on the cycle to 2027 with players having 50, 60, 70 caps behind them,” said Gatland, who became the first coach in France to lead a team to four World Cup quarter-finals vivo
“There’s also an opportunity for us to build some closer relationships with the regions and some of the changes with coaches and personnel there, and that hasn’t always been the case in the past vivo
“Often those relationships have been quite fractured because of things that were going on vivo between the regions and the unions, and we got dragged into it vivo
”Wales play the Barbarians in Cardiff on November 4 as a tribute to their former captain Alun Wyn Jones, who retired from international rugby in May vivo
Players based in France and England will not be selected as the game falls outside the international window vivo
Gatland confirmed five players – Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies, Josh Adams, Liam Williams and Louis Rees-Zammit – are injured and would have missed out on a World Cup semi-final against New Zealand this Friday had they beaten Argentina vivo
Biggar has retired from international rugby and played his last game for Wales, while Taulupe Faletau’s future will become clearer next year vivo
The 32-year-old British and Irish Lions number eight broke his arm against Georgia and missed the Argentina defeat vivo
Gatland said: “I spoke to Taulupe before he left France and said ‘get that arm fixed’ vivo
We’ll sit down then and talk about what he wants to do over the next few years in terms of playing vivo
”More aboutPA ReadyWalesWarren GatlandWelsh Rugby UnionArgentinaAlun Wyn JonesFranceKen OwensWayne PivacAustraliaCEOGeorgiaNigelGareth DaviesDan BiggarFijiTaulupe FaletauCardiffLiam WilliamsEnglandJosh Adams1/1Warren Gatland plans to lead Wales at the 2027 World Cup Warren Gatland plans to lead Wales at the 2027 World CupWarren Gatland is to remain as Wales head coach through to the 2027 World Cup (David Davies/PA)PA Wire ✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today vivo
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It was in Charles Oliveira’s final round of sparring, according to Dana White, that the skin over the Brazilian’s right eye was torn apart – and with it, his chance of redemption against Islam Makhachev vivo
Days out from one of the most-anticipated rematches in recent MMA history, Oliveira suffered a chasmic cut, and from the bloody sinews, Alexander Volkanovski emerged vivo
With that, one tantalising rematch was replaced by another; the MMA gods had taken away Oliveira’s opportunity for redemption against the lightweight champion, but in an instant, they had granted Volkanovski his own opportunity at the same atonement vivo
There were only a handful of grains left to fall on Oliveira, brooding inside his metaphorical sandglass, when the injury occurred; it was on 22 October 2022 that the former champion was submitted by Makhachev, and it was to be 364 days later that he would be locked in a cage with the Russian again – in the very same arena, no less, in Abu Dhabi vivo
But for a reason known only to them, the MMA deities decided to deny this cult hero his chance of defeating Makhachev, and of regaining the UFC lightweight title vivo
Oliveira, for his part, does not acknowledge these gods – only his own vivo
“Once you realise that it’s all part of God’s plan, it’s easier to accept things,” Oliveira told The Independent, coincidentally, days before suffering his injury vivo
“It took me a long time to understand that, but you just have to be able to learn to digest it vivo
God wouldn’t give me something that I can’t carry vivo
”RecommendedUFC 294 live stream: How to watch Volkanovski vs Makhachev vivo online and on TV this weekendAlexander Volkanovski admits it’s ‘crazy’ to fight Islam Makhachev on short noticeKamaru Usman to face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 after Paulo Costa withdrawsOliveira will lean all of his weight on that sentiment in the weeks to come, while 145lbs champion Volkanovski will be leaning his own weight – plus an extra 10lbs – on Makhachev in their second clash in eight months vivo
When the Australian, fighting on home turf in February, was ruled a decision loser against Makhachev, the result hardly relayed the razor-close nature of the fight vivo
Volkanovski, 35, landed more strikes than Makhachev, 30, but was marginally less clinical vivo
Makhachev secured four of his nine attempted takedowns, though that actually inspired more praise of Volkanovski than the Russian; in repeatedly denying Makhachev – and in repeatedly rising from the mat when needed – Volkanovski had proven that the defending champion was not the unstoppable force that his friend and coach Khabib Nurmagomedov so often seemed vivo
Oliveira was ruled out of UFC 294 after sustaining a nasty cut (DamonMartin / X)Volkanovski knocked down Makhachev in their first clash and was on top at the end of the bout (Getty Images)Volkanovski even knocked down Makhachev and finished the fight on top, denting the Dagestani’s daunting reputation vivo
The impressiveness of Volkanovski’s performance was only augmented by the fact that he was moving up in weight vivo
In fact, the Australian remained the Indy Sport pound-for-pound No 1 despite his loss to Makhachev vivo
It was a showing in stark contrast to Oliveira’s against Makhachev, in which the jiu-jitsu specialist was beaten at his own game: submitted by the Russian wrestler in Round 2 vivo
Oliveira did not do himself justice that night, but justice was on the agenda for UFC 294 vivo
Instead, Volkanovski will bring his well-rounded game to the Etihad Arena, where he weighed in as a back-up fighter for Oliveira’s defeat by Makhachev one year ago vivo
Since that fateful evening, Oliveira has bounced back with a dismissive knockout of Beneil Dariush, while Volkanovski also got back to winning ways by stopping interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez in July vivo
Makhachev dropped Oliveira before submitting him in October 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)While Oliveira vs Makhachev 2 was, for some time, official, Volkanovski vs Makhachev 2 also felt inevitable, just not at this time nor under these circumstances vivo
Those circumstances complicate the question of whether Volkanovski can go one vivo better than he did in his initial clash with Makhachev; this time, the Aussie will challenge the Russian on just 11 days’ notice, having recently undergone hand surgery vivo
Volkanovski is a consummate professional who will arrive as fight-fit as his body will allow, but even “Alexander The Great” has admitted that he does not want to find out how his cardio will hold up vivo
“We’ll try to make sure it doesn’t go five rounds,” he told Australian media last week vivo
“I want to finish it early, I don’t want to test his gas tank vivo
Don’t get me wrong, I think I can do it, but let’s not try and test it vivo
”Oliveira would have snapped your hand off for such a finish vivo
vivo Better yet, he would have snapped Makhachev’s arm off for one vivo
If Volkanovski can secure a stoppage, it will be one of the most arresting visuals in UFC history, in part due to the factors surrounding this new main event vivo
The same would apply to the co-main event, in which Kamaru Usman is on a similar venture to Volkanovski vivo
The former welterweight champion will fight at 185lbs for the first time as he replaces Paulo Costa against Khamzat Chimaev, perhaps the fiercest prospect in MMA, on 10 days’ notice vivo
For all of the attributes that the Nigerian-American has exhibited in a Hall of Fame-worthy career, never has his courage been as clear as it is now vivo
Khamzat Chimaev, left, and Kamaru Usman will clash in the co-main event of UFC 294 (Getty Images)The same goes for Volkanovski, although he believes that his rematch with Makhachev is a win-win scenario vivo
“I didn’t get that big moment of the whole underdog story,” he said last week, discussing the pair’s first bout vivo
“I remember thinking just a few days ago: ‘I’m not gonna really get that moment if I fight him again, I’m not gonna be this crazy underdog vivo
’ People [have seen] what I can do, so they’re gonna back me vivo
But now on 11 days’ notice, I’m sort of in the same position, where people are gonna say: ‘There’s no way – short notice, he’s crazy vivo
’”Volkanovski may just be vivo
He is also one of the most courageous fighters in a field full of them vivo
Of course, Makhachev also deserves credit; he, too, is fighting a pound-for-pound talent on short notice vivo
Indeed, many fans have remarked on how the fighters’ gambles have made UFC 294 an even stronger card than it already was vivo
It is the sort of rebound against adversity that vivo boxing, for example, would never be able to execute vivo
However, that is in large part due to the lower prize money on offer in the UFC, and the resultant need for fighters to take risks vivo
Yet it is also partly down to the overemphasis on losses in vivo boxing vivo
If Volkanovski were to suffer a third career loss on Saturday, he would still be in the conversation around modern UFC greats – perhaps all-timers, too vivo
Would a champion or contender in vivo boxing risk their record and reputation by fighting an elite opponent on a compromised camp? There is little evidence for it, monetarily there is no need for it, but there also shouldn’t be an expectation of it; just as there should be no expectation for a UFC fighter to accept a short-notice fight, even when the alternative is fans disputing their bravery vivo
Make no mistake: Although Volkanovski is one of the most-respected fighters in the UFC and is being heralded as a hero right now, he would have had his detractors if he had turned down this fight – even on 11 days’ notice vivo
It is as true as it is hard to believe vivo
Makhachev and Volkanovski facing off ahead of their first fight (Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)When fan favourite Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson refused to fight Michel Pereira in July, after the Brazilian missed weight, Thompson was criticised for not going ahead with the bout and accepting a slight bump to his purse vivo
Never mind the danger to Thompson’s health and prospects of ever challenging for a UFC title again, many fans were quick to turn on the veteran vivo
On that occasion, it was too late for a replacement to be found, and the bout collapsed vivo
Even Oliveira and Costa have had their fair share of criticism for withdrawing from UFC 294, despite their injuries and the calibre of their opponents vivo
Volkanovski has gotten credit in the build to UFC 294, but the last week has highlighted how fans tend to praise the UFC’s recovery in situations like this, rather than focusing on the unideal factors that allow the company to adapt in this manner vivo
And so, a cut above Charles Oliveira’s eye became a tear in the fabric of UFC 294, only for the promotion to stitch the card back together as only they can vivo
More aboutAlexander VolkanovskiIslam MakhachevCharles OliveiraJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/6Volkanovski’s gamble shows the best and worst of the UFCVolkanovski’s gamble shows the best and worst of the UFCOliveira was ruled out of UFC 294 after sustaining a nasty cut DamonMartin / XVolkanovski’s gamble shows the best and worst of the UFCVolkanovski knocked down Makhachev in their first clash and was on top at the end of the bout Getty ImagesVolkanovski’s gamble shows the best and worst of the UFCMakhachev dropped Oliveira before submitting him in October 2022 AFP via Getty ImagesVolkanovski’s gamble shows the best and worst of the UFCKhamzat Chimaev, left, and Kamaru Usman will clash in the co-main event of UFC 294 Getty ImagesVolkanovski’s gamble shows the best and worst of the UFCMakhachev and Volkanovski facing off ahead of their first fight Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesVolkanovski’s gamble shows the best and worst of the UFCAlexander Volkanovski, left, in his first fight with Islam Makhachev Getty Images✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today vivo
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicsvivo BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy vivo
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply vivo
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