Rennie v Pivac – will the battle of coaches be a Wales audition?
THE clock is counting down to the Welsh Rugby Union announcing the name of Warren Gatland’s successor as Wales coach.
Gatland steps down following next year’s World Cup in Japan, but WRU boss Martyn Phillips told
WalesOnline he hopes to have a deal with the preferred candidate signed and sealed by the end of this summer.
There is a short-list of three, but, intriguingly, the two leading contenders clash in a massive shootout tonight when Wayne Pivac’s Scarlets go head-to-head with Dave Rennie’s Glasgow in the Guinness PRO14 play-offs.
It’s a fascinating sub-plot to what should be a tremendous match between defending champions Scarlets and this season’s top performers at the Conference stage.
And it will provide a final chance for Pivac and Rennie to impress the WRU’s top brass of chief executive Phillips, chairman and former Wales captain Gareth Davies, and head of rugby performance Geraint John, ahead of decision day.
So, what’s the situation regarding the Kiwi pair? And who is the third man on the WRU list?
ANDY HOWELL examines the situation...
WAYNE PIVAC
Has made a huge impression at the Scarlets with a Guinness PRO12 title having been bagged last season following play-off truimphs over crack Irish provinces Leinster and Munster in Dublin.
Pivac had an impressive record at provincial level in New Zealand and success on the international stage with Fiji, winning the Pacific TriNations and beating New Zealand in the Sevens Rugby World Cup.
How have the Scarlets have fared this season?
They reached the semi-finals of Europe’s Champions Cup but were unable to cope with the physicality and intensity of Leinster and were walloped 38-16 by the eventual champions.
Pivac’s charges were runners-up to Leinster in Conference B of the PRO14 to miss out on a home semifinal.
Is he interested in the Wales job?
“If the opportunity arose in Wales going forward I would certainly look at that because I consider myself a part of Welsh rugby,” he said.
“If the opportunity came, yeah, I would probably love it. It is about timing.”
Do Wales really want him?
The WRU were reported to be cool on Pivac despite the possibility of him bringing Stephen Jones with him from the Scarlets.
But results have turned heads and the eloquent Pivac has forced his way into the fray.
DAVE RENNIE
The former schoolteacher is tipped as a future coach of the All Blacks after guiding the Chiefs to back-toback Super Rugby titles.
A hugely ambitious figure, he left Gatland’s home city of Hamilton to continue his coaching education in Europe with Glasgow Warriors.
How have Glasgow fared this season?
They finished top of the pops at the league stage of this season’s PRO14 with 15 victories and a draw in their 21 fixtures.
They piled up 76 points, seven more than Conference A runners-up Munster, and six more than Conference B pair Leinster and Scarlets managed.
But they had a shocker in the Champions Cup, posting just one victory and losing five to finish bottom of Pool Three behind winners Leinster, English champions Exeter and Montpellier.
Glasgow are an exciting team, but continue to lack the forward power to be competitive against the big guns in Europe.
Is he interested in the Wales job?
Rennie said: “My focus is on Glasgow. I’m totally committed to the cause here and I don’t want anyone – whether it’s Wales, the All Blacks, or another club – to think that I’m using this team as a stepping stone to go somewhere else.
“I’m here for this year and next year and then beyond that I will look at the options; whether we stay or move on.”
Do Wales really want him?
Phillips, Davies and John were hugely impressed when they watched Wales demolished by a secondstring Chiefs team in Hamilton in 2016.
They had the chance to chat to Rennie and must have applauded the vision, skill, style, pace and power of his team.
It’s understood there were discussions about Wales appointing him as assistant to Gatland but a deal couldn’t be struck.
Glasgow have played some dazzling rugby under his command, which hasn’t come as a surprise to powerbrokers back in New Zealand, who rate Rennie highly for his ability to get the maximum out of his players.
Only Leinster, with 83 tries to 81, crossed the whitewash more than them at the Conference stage of the PRO14.
What’s the importance of the Scotstoun shoot-out between Pivac and Rennie?
Some may scoff at any significance of the battle between Glasgow and the Scarlets but WRU insiders may yet be influenced by what they see during the 80 minutes.
Pivac will further strengthen his hand if the Scarlets are to dispose of Glasgow in their own backyard.
But a resounding Glasgow triumph would give the WRU and Welsh public a timely reminder about the qualities of Rennie, whose contract in Scotland just happens to run out before the World Cup.
Wales will not appoint their new man based upon just 80 minutes of rugby, but it could yet form a part of the thought process.
THE THIRD MAN..?
Chris Boyd, who guided Beauden Barrett’s Hurricanes to Super Rugby glory two years ago, was in the frame, but has signed a lucrative deal to become head honcho at Northampton next season.
Former Wales dual-code captain and ex-Cardiff Blues coach Dai Young has also been on the radar of the WRU, but has signed a contract extension at Wasps until 2023.
However, it’s unclear whether his new deal allows the former Lions prop to leave the English club early if the WRU offered him the chance to succeed Gatland.
A dark horse could be New Zealander Vern Cotter, the ex-Clermont Auvergne and Scotland coach, who has masterminded Montpellier finishing top of the French Top 14.
If there’s another candidate, their name has yet to come out.
THE VERDICT
Rennie has been a firm favourite, but Pivac has been building a strong case which could become virtually unassailable if Scarlets beat Glasgow and go on to retain the Guinness crown.
When will we know?
Phillips and Davies have said they hope to be able to announce their choice by the end of the summer or the autumn at the latest... which is fairly soon.
And there’s a possibility the successful candidate could play a backroom role at the 2019 World Cup if Gatland made such a request.