‘Demanding’ Tandy set to name first Wales picks

When Steve Tandy announces his first squad for the autumn internationals, Steve Tandy will realize how significant his position will be as Wales’ head coach.

Tandy will announce his players for November matches against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa at the Principality Stadium on Tuesday.

Wales, which defeated Japan in a series of 18 Test defeats in Kobe in July, put an end to an 18-game losing streak in the world rankings.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is expected to make a decision on changes to the professional game by the end of October, so Tandy will also be welcoming the players. There is a lot of uncertainty off the field.

Tandy left Wales in 2018, coming home after serving for six years as the Ospreys’ head coach.

Before moving to Scotland in 2019, he began his coaching career with the Waratahs in Sydney.

In addition, Tandy served on Warren Gatland’s backroom staff for the British and Irish Lions during the summer of 2021.

Tandy made the decision to move back to Wales in July, and he has already met some well-known faces in his new role, including former Ospreys team-mate and Dragons boss Filo Tiatia.

Tiatia, who spent five years playing with the 45-year-old former flanker, said, “I can only speak highly of Tandy, he’s a beautiful man.”

He is a very upbeat coach who is also very compassionate and demanding when things are going wrong.

With all this success, I wish him the best of luck because he can only be good for Wales. He will need support for his four difficult tests.

Tiatia thinks that Tandy will benefit from changing his ways to improve his coaching abilities.

He “added Tiatia,” and “he’s a big learner.” He has accomplished a lot in a short amount of time. He wants to continue to improve both himself and those around him.

Steve left his comfort zone and moved on as the Ospreys coach, where he saw opportunities in Australia.

Tandy’s ability to work together is praised by Tiatia as “wonderful,” and the Wales coach has already made efforts to create a spirit of cooperation.

The Wales manager has hired Danny Wilson and Matt Sherratt as permanent assistants for the backroom staff, who have visited the four professional sides frequently.

There is definitely a skill set that many people can learn from, said Tiatia, and Tandy is very good at working with people.

What’s great about this is that Steve and the coaches are attempting to collaborate a little bit more round the clubs.

“It’s amazing to see the Welsh international coaches.” They can learn a little bit more about the coaches and players they are unfamiliar with.

When your Welsh international coaches are seen as both people and people, “it can only be a good thing.”

Aaron Wainwright, the eighth Dragons and Wales player and projected to be one of Tandy’s senior players, echoed Tiatia’s sentiments.

Wainwright said, “Steve entered the room and introduced himself to the group, which I thought was nice.”

I believe it’s important to “get out there and have relationships with the regions.”

Tandy is the first Welshman to lead Wales’ permanent head coach since Gareth Jenkins in 2006, having previously taken over from Graham Henry, Steve Hansen, Gatland, and Wayne Pivac.

This week, Tandy appointed former internationals Rhys Patchell, Dan Lydiate, and Duncan Jones as special coaches on loan from Dragons and Ospreys, who completed their duties.

The trio’s only involvement with the upcoming autumn campaign is with Welshmen or those with knowledge of the Welsh system.

Welsh coaches are crucial, according to Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel.

For Welsh coaches, the opportunity to work at international level is fantastic because you are always striving to be successful.

There are numerous reputable Welsh coaches both domestically and abroad. The more exposure they receive while performing at the highest level will benefit the game as a whole.

*All games take place at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

Sunday, 9 November – Argentina (15: 10 GMT)

Saturday, 15 November – Japan (17: 40 GMT)

Saturday, 22 November – New Zealand (15: 10 GMT)