Pivac relishes All Blacks challenge
Welsh rugby’s coach-in-waiting Wayne Pivac is up for the challenge of taking on the All Blacks in New Zealand.
Pivac will take charge of the Red Dragons from fellow Kiwi Warren Gatland after next year’s World Cup in Japan.
His first assignment is likely to be a clash with the British Barbarians to tune up for the 2020 Six Nations.
His first tour in charge is set to be to his native New Zealand for three tests with the All Blacks and he’s fizzing rather than being daunted by that prospect.
‘‘I have heard it’s on the horizon but when it’s confirmed, it’s confirmed,’’ Pivac told Walesonline yesterday.
‘‘It would be a Six Nations followed by three matches against the All Blacks.
‘‘I think that would be fantastic if it was to come to fruition. What better way early on to test yourself against one of the best teams, if not the best, in the world?
‘‘That would certainly be a big challenge but one I’m sure everyone would look forward to.’’
The tour would provide Pivac
‘‘What better way early on to test yourself against one of the best teams, if not the best, in the world? Wayne Pivac
with an instant shot at history. Wales have never beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand and their last win was a 13-8 effort in Cardiff in 1953.
The All Blacks have won 31 tests and lost just three against Wales.
Gatland’s 2016 visit to New Zealand saw his Welsh team competitive for the first two tests but thrashed 46-6 in the third international while they also suffered a 40-6 midweek loss to a second-string Chiefs team.
Pivac will go head-to-head with a new All Blacks coach, with current mentor Steve Hansen stepping aside after the World Cup. Pivac will get a good feel of his new environment when he travels with Wales to the World Cup as an ‘‘observer’’.
Wales, No 3 in the world at the moment, are expected to be a force at the tournament.
Pivac felt the following match against the Barbarians would be an ideal transition for the team.
‘‘That will be a festive occasion I would think, it would be more around a farewell to a group that’s done a fantastic job, I think it would be a great occasion for all involved,’’ he said.
Pivac is a former head coach of Auckland and North Harbour and also guided Fiji on the international scene between 2004-07.
He got the Wales job on the back of his good work with the Scarlets regional side.
Under Pivac the Scarlets won the Pro12 title in 2017 and were pipped by Leinster defending the title the following season. They also lost to Leinster in the semifinals of the 2018 European Champions Cup.