Wayne Pivac has left his role as Wales head coach and been replaced by Warren Gatland, the man he took over from three years ago.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.”
Damien
Guest
Agreed.
Damien
Guest
Yep. They should learn from Wales and lose to Georgia.
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
All it takes is an opportunity. Would be interesting how he goes coaching outside of NZ away from his systems and players.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Well at least Wales has the balls to make a decision. Something NZ and Aus could learn from. Neither NZ or Aus is going to excell with their current coaching set up. Both governing bodies hoping for miracles to cover their inability to make hard decisions. As I learnt with 32+ years in the Army. “Hope is not a good planning tool”
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Here we go then. A real life example of when is it too close to a RWC to fire a coach. Arguably DR has kept his spot based on this issue, despite his appauling W/L record. I believe it's never too late, and if the team performs "less worse" at the RWC, then the decision has been justified.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Robertson may not even be the exception. He's got a great team in the Crusaders full of talent that would be the envy of any test coach. Hand him a national coach role and you might see something completely different.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
It’s a good thing when top coaches go to struggling teams . It’s not a good thing when Bum Coaches go anywhere . They destroy good teams and poor teams alike. It’s also not a good idea to anoint an unproven provincial coach as a potential test coach . We need a proven top test coach ; only Robertson would be the exception .
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
That's because he is Director of Rugby at the Chiefs not the coach. DoR is one of those retirement / rewards jobs for coaches too good to coach.
potsie
Guest
... and their get a big liability off their books and maybe even sneak a payout for someone they didn't really want to keep in the first place.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
It was their only option. Wales Ruby recognises the value in wins. Pivac didn't deliver.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
How are the Chiefs going to go without him!?...totally fine, to answer my own question, McMillan has them going well, Wales must be paying him some big money to take them on again.
KiwiHaydn
Roar Rookie
Eddie next…
The Bulldog of the Empire
Guest
Nah, those teams from the 50s, 60s, and 70s from NZ are massively overrated. Cheaters who showed no respect for the code is the foundation of their legacy. Anyone who is a true lover of the the code knows that these old spineless Kiwi players deserves nothing but our silence and despite.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Probably their best option but it’s hard to see how this moves the game forward in Wales