Wayne Pivac has left his role as Wales head coach and been replaced by Warren Gatland, the man he took over from three years ago.
The Welsh Rugby Union confirmed Pivac’s departure following their review of Wales’ Autumn Nations Series campaign that included a home defeat against Georgia.
Wales won just 13 of 34 Tests under Pivac’s direction after succeeding his fellow New Zealander following the 2019 World Cup.
They suffered a ninth defeat in 12 tests this year when they blew a 21-point lead in the 39-34 loss to Australia last month in their final match of the Autumn series, which also included defeats by New Zealand and Georgia.
And Gatland now makes an extraordinary return to the post he held between 2008 and 2019, during which time Wales won four Six Nations titles, including three Grand Slams, reached two World Cup semi-finals and briefly headed the world rankings.
Gatland will leave New Zealand-based side the Chiefs, where he was director of rugby, with immediate effect and return to Wales before Christmas.
“This is an opportunity to achieve something with a talented group of players in a country so passionate about rugby,” Gatland said, in a statement released by the WRU.
“Our immediate priority is obviously the 2023 Guinness Six Nations and next year’s Rugby World Cup.
“There is little time for sentiment. Professional sport is all about preparation, values and results.
“There will be new challenges, as there always is with a change in head coach, but for me the environment, the players and their families will always come first.
“We must prepare to the best of our ability in the time available. We will value and respect each other, we will work hard and, if we get this right together, performances and results will follow.”
Pivac said he was “extremely sad” to leave.
“It was a speedy review process, post-autumn series, as time is of the essence with the Six Nations fast approaching,” he said. “Unfortunately, the results or performances this year were not all as we hoped. As a group we all take responsibility for that, but me in particular as head coach.
“We have played some really good rugby at times, but needed to do that more consistently. However, I know that there is a strong foundation for the squad to progress to great things in the future.”
© AAP
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