Wales head coach Steve Tandy has stated there is "no hangover" from the pay dispute that threatened Saturday's Nations Championship opener against Fiji, after an agreement was reached late Wednesday. Players met with Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) bosses over match fees, leading to the cancellation of a scheduled press conference before a resolution came shortly before 5pm.
Dispute Resolved, Focus on Rugby
Speaking on Thursday as he named his side to face Fiji, Tandy said: "To be honest, I just want to talk about Fiji and the rugby. The only thing I'm really grateful of is it is resolved and there's no hangover from it." He praised his players' focus throughout the week, adding: "The boys have been really focused when it comes to training. And we will get there at some point where there'll be a campaign where we just talk totally about rugby."
Threat of Strike Averted
According to sources, the situation became precarious at various points, though the threat of strike action was avoided before it became public. When asked about the possibility of a strike, Tandy said: "I just talked to the boys, it's just about support. Lots of the negotiations, I'm not aware of. And the only thing that's come out for me is it's been resolved, there's been training as normal." He confirmed he was not involved in negotiations but remained connected with players: "It's just make sure we're checking in with the players and making sure they're OK."
Preparation Uninterrupted
Tandy insisted the dispute did not disrupt training: "The preparation hasn't been interrupted in terms of our training and how we've gone about it. It's great for us that it's resolved and we can get really focused on the Fiji game." He highlighted the resilience of the squad: "People have gone through experiences, and nothing's perfect. It's just how you deal with those things. There's a group there that are really connected, they are tight to each other, and I believe as a coaching staff as well we're connected with them."
WRU Silence
Notably, no other WRU officials—such as CEO Abi Tierney or director of rugby Dave Reddin—have faced media questions following the dispute. Tandy remains the sole spokesperson as Wales prepares for their competitive opener.
