The match against the All Blacks offers Gatland one last chance to beat the only side in the world he hasn’t been victorious against, with Wales.
“As a coach, it’s the only team I haven’t beaten with Wales. It would be nice to be able to achieve that,” Gatland said after Wales came extremely close to reaching Saturday’s final against England.
“My first game with Wales was against England and my dream was that it would be my last, but it is not to be,” he added.
“Friday will be our last time together so we must make sure that we enjoy ourselves. We knew it would be an arm-wrestle against South Africa and there was not a lot of flowing rugby played, but I am proud of the boys for staying in there.
“England were outstanding against New Zealand, but South Africa have the physicality to match them. My last game [in charge of Wales] will not be the final, but it will still be a monumental match because they are the only team I have not beaten, apart from the Lions.
The former All Blacks hooker said the Bronze Final will be “pretty challenging” before adding, “It will be a tough game to play, but we will give it the respect it deserves.”
“The All Blacks are probably hurting as much as we are at the moment. The third and fourth play-off is a tough game to play but you have to give it the respect it deserves. Go out there and do the best you can to try and win it.
“This is a great group of players that we’ve been involved with, and coaches. We need to recover well over the next couple of days and start preparing for the All Blacks.
“Robin McBryde [Wales forwards coach] said in the changing room afterwards, after all the hard work we’ve done and what this group of players and coaches have achieved, Friday will be our last time together.
“So we’re going to make sure we enjoy this week.”
