Warren Gatland admits appointing Cory Hill Wales captain a "mistake"
He withdrew from yesterday's (Friday 19th July) game just before kick-off, for "personal reasons"
Head coach Warren Gatland has admitted it was a mistake to appoint Cory Hill as Wales Rugby Union captain for their last match in Australia.
The second-row forward withdrew from the game against Queensland Reds in Brisbane shortly before kick-off, for "personal reasons."
Gatland's decision to him the captaincy sparked a negative reaction online, as the 32-year-old was part of a group who damaged a woman's house in May 2021.
He was not charged by police and apologised at the time through a representative.
This week, he told reporters he regretted what happened three years ago and publicly apologised.
Speaking after the match, Gatland said: "Cory came to me and said for personal reasons he was pulling out of the match, so I had to respect the decision he made to do that.
"Look, I put my hand up and say I probably shouldn't have put him in that position.
"What he's been doing out here in terms of experience, it was a rugby decision that I made.
"It probably doesn't help when you do get some negativity thrown at you. It makes things difficult.
"I probably could have negated that by not selecting him in that position. I need to hold my hand up in terms of that.
"What I can say is that he has been absolutely brilliant since he has been out here in terms of his leadership, his experience, how he has helped and worked with the young players.
"I probably looked at it from a rugby decision and didn't appreciate there was going to be some negativity about making that call. I probably underestimated some of that.
"There are a lot of sportspeople in the past that have had similar situations and for whatever reason are back in the fold.
"I think you need to realise that I thought he was brilliant on Wednesday, that he was genuine in his apology for something that happened over three years ago.
"The facts are that he wasn't arrested, he wasn't charged, but he has put his hand up and was genuine about the fact that he had made a mistake."
Wales recorded their first win this year, beating the Reds 36-35, thanks to a Kieran Hardy try in the last minute.