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Gatland hails mature Wales

02/12/2012 10:27:31 PM

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Wales coach Warren Gatland praised his team's mental strength following their 27-13 victory over Scotland in the Six Nations on Sunday.

Two tries from Leigh Halfpenny and one from Alex Cuthbert helped hosts Wales come out on top at the Millennium Stadium.

Scotland, who ran England close in a 13-6 defeat at Murrayfield last week, had both Nick De Luca and Rory Lamont sin-binned to scupper their chances of success in Cardiff.

"We expected Scotland to be a lot tougher than maybe the public did," Gatland said.

"If you look at their numbers last week in terms of territory, possession and line breaks, they should have won that game against England."

Gatland was impressed with the way his players handled the late withdrawal of captain Sam Warburton due to injury, which followed the suspension of Bradley Davies last week for the remainder of the tournament.

"We are very pleased with the result given the disruption of losing Sam Warburton, and having to adjust to the loss of Bradley Davies during the week, as well as being without three or four key players," he said.

"That is a sign of the maturity of this team at the moment."

"They can handle these disruptions and it doesn't seem to affect them psychologically, they just go out and play the game so there are some very pleasing aspects on and off the field with this team at the moment."

Scotland coach Andy Robinson felt his undermanned side acquitted themselves well, but proved unable to resist Wales' superior movement.

"The guys did not deliberately get sin-binned, but that's what happens in the game," he said.

"Wales exploited the space really well and kept hold of the ball. When you are down to 13 men you are going to be put under pressure if a side is able to keep hold of the ball and keep a good shape and I thought they did that really well."

"You look at the small margins of the game and I have to say I am really proud of the way my team played. The endeavour that was shown, the attitude that was shown. But just after half-time there was an error and we have been punished for it."

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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