That might have been 12 years ago, but it is a topic that could still crop up in a post-match beer when the two men meet again in Christchurch after the third round clash between the Crusaders and the Chiefs in Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Jones is now defence coach with the all-conquering Crusaders side in New Zealand, while Gatland has returned to his native land to take over as head coach at his former side, the Chiefs. They will be seeking their first win in the new domestic tournament, while the mighty Crusaders are once again on a roll.
The highlights can once again be seen on S4C’s Clwb Rygbi: Super Rugby Aotearoa on Sunday evening.
“It’s going to be interesting and I am looking forward to catching up with Gats,” says Jones, who left his coaching job with RGC 1404 in Wales last year, had a spell with Namibia at the World Cup, and then landed a dream job in January with the Crusaders.
“Gats will be smarting because although his team has played pretty well in their two games, they have come out the wrong side in both matches. He won’t be pleased with that and I’ve explained to our coaching group that he will have spent his time this week looking at where they need to adjust.
“Gats doesn’t lose three on the trot very often, so we have to be right on out mettle this weekend. He will have them very motivated.
“I haven’t had time to catch up with him yet, but we’ve swapped messages. He’s enjoying some family time after all travelling around the world.”
Jones, now 40, was a high-stepping, thrill-a-minute wing with the Scarlets when Gatland arrived in Wales as national coach in 2008. His crime at Twickenham was not to get back up and into the defensive line after taking a huge hit from Lesley Vainikolo.
In his defence, he was receiving treatment from Mark Davies at the time and England didn’t take advantage. But Shaun Edwards was setting his defensive standards and Jones was dropped for one game before returning to complete the Slam
“Gats had a big influence on my career. I was lucky enough to work with a lot of quality coaches, like Steve Hansen, Graham Henry and Gareth Jenkins and I’ve taken bit from them all,” said Jones.
“But Gats was someone I took an awful lot from – not just his tactical outlook, but the way he manages people. We will hopefully catch up for a beer, and I won’t mind buying if it’s the winner’s round. It’ll taste a bit sour if we lose.”
It would take a big upset for Gatland to be opening his wallet. His Chiefs lost to the Highlanders in the opening round when a late drop-kick by his son Bryn made it Gatland Junior 1, Gatland Senior 0.
The Chiefs then lost again last week at home to the Blues, while the Crusaders – who had to wait on the sidelines in round one – looked as if they had never been away as they hammered the Highlanders 39-25 last week in their first match back.
Even though Crusaders skipper and All Blacks lock Scott Barrett in injured, they can still call upon the likes of Codie Taylor, Luke Romano, Richie Mo’unga and Sevu Reece to spearhead their threat.
They also have Jones’ boss – head coach Scott Robertson – at the helm, the most successful coach in the world at present after leading the Crusaders to three successive Super Rugby titles in his first three seasons in charge.
S4C – Sunday 28/06
21.00 – Clwb Rygbi: Super Rugby Aotearoa Highlights
