COMMENT: Wales continue their fine tradition of Kiwi poaching by appointing Wayne Pivac

Alex Broun 01:03 10/07/2018
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  • Wayne Pivac during his time as coach of Auckland

    Finding a replacement for Warren Gatland was never going to be an easy job.

    ‘Gats’, as he is fondly known, will go down as one of the Red Dragons greatest ever coaches.

    He will leave his position as the Wales head coach in November next year, post the Rugby World Cup in Japan, after over a decade in the role where he has (already) claimed two Six Nations crowns and a Rugby World Cup semi-final.

    The Welsh Rugby Union have had plenty of time to find a successor. Gatland nominated his finishing date straight after the last World Cup in 2015 – giving the WRU four years to find a replacement.

    At first many thought the job would go to one of Gatland’s loyal support staff – defence coach Shaun Edwards, backline coach Rob Howley or even forward coach Robin McBryde, who all played a huge part in the re-birth of Wales as a rugby power.

    But as the years rolled by the trio were ruled out of calculation and in the end the WRU were left with a three man shortlist – all Kiwis: current Crusaders coach Scott Robertson, former Chiefs and now Glasgow Warriors coach Dave Rennie and the man they chose, Scarlets boss Wayne Pivac.

    The 56-year-old former Auckland Police Constable will become the fourth Kiwi to take the reigns at Wales after Graham Henry (1998-2002), Steve Hansen (2002-04) and Gatland (2007-19).

    You could accuse the Dragons of having a NZ bias but in reality these are three of the best coaches in World Rugby today.

    Rennie took the Chiefs to their first ever Super Rugby title in 2012 and again the following year; Robertson won the Crusaders their first Super Rugby crown in almost a decade in his first season in charge last year (something Todd Blackadder couldn’t achieve in eight attempts) and Pivac, who won Scarlets their first Celtic League/PRO12 title in over a decade last season.

    Scott Robertson was almost break-dancing in Wales

    Scott Robertson was almost break-dancing in Wales

    He then followed it up by taking them to Final of the PRO14 this season, as well as the semi-final of the Champions Cup – where they were defeated by the magnificent Leinster team. No shame in that.

    In the end the WRU went for Pivac although it must have been incredibly tempting to hand the job to the irrepressible Robertson who has made the ‘Saders virtually unbeatable.

    But Pivac has had undoubted success with the Scarlets not just with the results but the style of highly skilled, entertaining rugby they are playing.

    Wales might be losing a great in Gatland but the Red Dragons will be in very safe hands.

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