Wales head coach Warren Gatland says he's hoping that England will overcome South Africa in Saturday's Rugby World Cup final.
England boss Eddie Jones hit back at Gatland's suggestion that his side may have peaked in their semi-final win over holders New Zealand by wishing the Welsh well in Friday's third-place playoff with the All-Blacks.
But the three-time Grand Slam winning coach has clarified his comments today:
“I was reflecting on the experiences I’ve seen in the past,” Gatland said. “I was thinking about 2011 and the All Blacks.
“They had a big game against Australia in the semi-final, and they maybe looked at that as their final.
“They played France in the final and it was probably a game they thought they could potentially win comfortably. It ended up being a very tight game.
“I thought England were excellent against the All Blacks – it was the best I’ve seen England play in the last 10 years. I thought they were outstanding.
“I think it will be a great final with two physical teams, and I hope a northern hemisphere team can win the World Cup.
“There are a lot of players there who I’ve been fortunate to have had personal contact with through the Lions, and I want to wish them all the best.”
The Welsh coach has made nine changes to his team for that third-place playoff against his native New Zealand.
Owen Lane, Nicky Smith and James Davies are amongst the players to come into the side, while Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Tomas Francis and Aaron Wainwright all miss out with injuries.
The Test match will be Gatland's final game in charge of Wales, having won four Six Nations titles and three Grand Slams since taking over in December 2007:
"It has been some experience. I have said on a number of occasions I never thought I would have been in Wales for 12 years. I was lucky enough to have had a couple of sabbaticals with the Lions and that was good for me mentally.
"I am very privileged to have worked with a group of coaches and backroom staff that we have been incredibly close over that period and that has made things so much easier in terms of the synergy and being on the same page.
"The players I have worked with, I have had about three squads over that period, and I have worked with some outstanding individuals and some players I have been very lucky to coach.
"Lastly, I would like to thank the Welsh public. They have been challenging at times but they have made it worthwhile in terms of just how welcoming they have been to me in Wales. They have been so hospitable and it is really like a second home for me in Wales and I am going to miss being there.
"You have to look forward and be excited about the opportunities - one more game - and start thinking about the next challenge and being involved in Super Rugby.
"This is an end of an era for a lot of people. We have a management meal tomorrow night, which will be our last one together. We want to make sure we enjoy that and hopefully Alan Phillips books a nice restaurant for us.
"For a number of players this will probably be their last World Cup game so there are a lot of people involved, not just myself. Players potentially whether they carry on their international careers, a lot of them realise this could be their last World Cup opportunity."
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