Joe Schmidt has all the sympathy in the world for Warren Gatland, even while sending his friend ever closer to the exit as Wales coach.

Warren Gatland has called on the Welsh Rugby Union to either back him or sack him after Wales were hammered 52-20 by Australia in their record 11th defeat in a row.

Coach Warren Gatland is to review his position at the helm after Wales slumped to a 52-20 defeat to Australia.

Warren Gatland insisted he still had the fight to continue as Wales coach, but would back any change after his team crashed to a record 11th consecutive test defeat in a 52-20 rout by Australia in Cardiff today.

Wales fell to an all-time results low in their 143-year international rugby history after suffering an 11th successive defeat.

Wales suffered a record 11th successive Test match defeat as Australia demolished them 52-20 in Cardiff and ramped up the pressure on head coach Warren Gatland.