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Jenkins won`t quit despite exit

Jenkins says he won't go

Gareth Jenkins insists he will not resign as Wales head coach despite watching his side crash out of the World Cup with a 38-34 defeat by Fiji.

Wales will head home on Sunday having failed to reach the quarter-finals of a World Cup for the first time in the professional era.

Jenkins had asked to be judged on the World Cup but tonight urged against any "knee-jerk" reactions and remains determined to fight on in the job.

"When you are in this position as national coach you have to accept you are accountable. We came here to get to the quarter-finals and we haven't done that - but what we mustn't do is panic," said Jenkins, who is under contract until the end of the 2008 Six Nations.

"There is no need for a huge knee-jerk reaction, that is my personal view. We need to understand the lessons. Our board will meet to understand the reasons behind why we haven't succeeded.

"Personally my ambition is to continue coaching Wales, it's as simple as that.
"I did say about being judged on the World Cup but there are, without a doubt, positives as well as negatives. "Going forward we will present our view and the people that make the decision will make their call.

"I have a lot of work to do in terms of analysing and reflecting and presenting a report. A decision will be made one way or another about the contract."

His side will head now home on Sunday while Fiji go to Marseille to tackle South Africa in the last eight.

Fiji stormed into a 25-3 lead with three tries in the space of 12 first-half minutes from Gloucester's Akapusi Qera, winger Vilimoni Delasau and lock Kele Leawere.

After Alix Popham touched down for a pushover try shortly before the interval, Wales produced a spirited comeback to edge ahead with scores from Shane Williams, Gareth Thomas and Mark Jones.

Wales then appeared to have the match won when Martyn Williams picked off a pass from Nicky Little and raced clear to score.

But Fiji refused to be beaten and a try from prop Graham Dewes four minutes from time sealed a famous victory for the islanders.

"Not one of us is not hurting or bleeding emotionally," said Jenkins.

Wales captain Gareth Thomas won his 100th and possibly final Test cap today and at the end of the match he went down on one knee as if in prayer.

"I was devastated to be out of the World Cup. We have sweated and bled for each other and I was devastated that has suddenly come to an end," he said.
"When it comes to an end in a way you don't want it to, it hurts.

"It can be the most brilliant thing in the world and the most desperate thing in the world to be a Welsh rugby player.

"It is important the guys realise they can wake up in morning, go home to their loved ones and family and life starts again.

"We will get flak and we will take it together but the world keeps spinning and life goes on.

"It is a hard lesson to learn.

"If I never play for Wales again I won't look back on today and it think it was all terrible. I will look back on my whole career and cherish the highs and lows."