//Getty Images Gatland wants SANZAR scalps James Mortimer - (20/03/2012)
Welsh coach Warren Gatland will not rest on his heady collection of trophies, collecting the Triple Crown, Six Nations and Grand Slam over the weekend, instead preferring to turn his attention to being able to “consistently” beat the Southern Hemisphere superpowers.
PASS IT ON
18
Gatland, who has built this current Welsh team into a remarkable outfit with a fourth place finish at the World Cup prior to their Six Nations success, has already put aside individual milestones.
He has now guided the Red Dragons to two Grand Slams (2008 and 2012), and will now likely be confirmed as the head coach for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2013.
Before then, he will take his team of champions, the dominant nation in Europe, to meet the Wallabies for three-tests during June.
Wales have lost seven of their last eight matches against Australia, with their success coming four years ago when the defeated the Wallabies 21-18 months after claiming the 2008 Six Nations.
At least they have won ten tests from 31 against Australia, with the Welsh ledger against the other SANZAR nations poor – beating the Springboks just once, while they are in the midst of an international head-to-head record losing streak against the All Blacks, with New Zealand boasting a 59-year winning run against the Welsh.
Gatland said beating the original Tri Nations teams was the supreme goal.
"Our big aim is to be consistent in beating the southern hemisphere sides," Gatland said.
"And we have a young enough side that over the next few years hopefully we can do that.
"We have been down in games during this tournament and we have learnt how to win ugly and in the past that may not have happened. We have accepted the tag of favourites, which has not always sat well on our shoulders.
"For a young side they have coped incredibly well and I think it can be good for us as a team over the next two or three years.
