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It has been a year to forget for the national men's team, having slipped to an all-time low of 11th in the world rankings.
Wales finished bottom of the Six Nations for the first time in 21 years and lost a summer Test series 2-0 in Australia.
And while the losing run came to an end in an uncapped match against a second-string Queensland Reds team, another defeat to Fiji in November would be a record-equalling 10th successive international loss.
Despite the disastrous results in 2024, Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chairman Collier-Keywood insisted the rebuilding done this year is all "part of the plan".
“I’m a proud Welshman myself and I don’t like the fact we’ve lost the last nine Test matches, but this about rebuilding," said Collier-Keywood.
“We’ve asked Warren to have a specific objective heading towards the next World Cup. Our pathways were not in the position they should’ve been in, so he’s taken this opportunity over this Six Nations and summer series to try out some new players.
“If you look at the performances, you can see that some of the players have tried out really well, we’re starting to get strength in depth and some of these players are on their way of becoming regular internationals.
“It is part of a plan, we’ve asked him to do it and he’s getting on with it, of course we’re going to support him."
Gatland is in his second spell as Wales head coach, having returned to replace Wayne Pivac in December 2022.
Previously, Wales were used to success under the New Zealander, but since his reappointment Gatland has won only six games in 21 Tests with 15 defeats, a success rate of below 30%.
The 60-year-old also came under scrutiny in Australia when he named Cory Hill as captain for their final match against Queensland Reds.
Back in 2021, Hill was named among a group of individuals who damaged a woman's house, though was not charged by police.
Hill ended up withdrawing from the match a few hours before kick-off due to "personal reasons", and after the game Gatland admitted he had made a mistake.
But Collier-Keywood insisted that the WRU remained fully in support of Gatland.
“My hope is we won’t keep losing," added Collier-Keywood. "We’re clearly not going to go from a position and lose every Test match between now and 2027 and reach the semi-final of the World Cup.
“If that strategy is going to work you can clearly see there should be a path of winning over that period of time, Warren has our full support.”
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