It’s a no-brainer, says Pivac as new man weighs up his backroomoptions
It’s now official. Wayne Pivac has been confirmed as the man to take over from Warren Gatland as Wales coach after next year’s World Cup.
The Scarlets boss was unveiled at a press conference at the Principality Stadium at lunchtime today, where he gave his reaction to his appointment.
Rugby correspondent SIMON THOMAS was on hand to hear what the ex-policeman from New Zealand had to say about stepping into the hot seat...
Q: What’s your reaction to being named as the next Wales coach? A:
It’s a huge honour and a privilege to be given the opportunity to coach Wales, the national team, after the Rugby World Cup.
I’d like to thank both Gareth Davies and Martyn Phillips for the process we have gone through. It’s been robust and I enjoyed the process. I look forward to continuing the strong work that’s been done by Warren Gatland and his team.
I know I’m following in the footsteps of someone who is held in extremely high regard, not only by the Welsh public, but also by the players who have played under him and I will be doing my best to protect the legacy which Warren Gatland, with the help of those players, will inevitably leave behind.
I would like to think I will do everything I can to try and emulate some of the results they have got and where we can try and improve things.
I am grateful for the opportunity and look forward to the coming years.
I’ll do everything in my power to reward the two men alongside me here today (Davies and Phillips) who have put their faith in me, but also to live up to the expectations of the hugely passionate and knowledgeable rugby loving Welsh public.
It will be an almighty challenge, but one that I’m more than ready for and one that I will relish.
Q: Was it an easy decision for you to accept the job? A:
When I first came to Wales, I was totally focused on doing a role on the Scarlets, knowing that if that went well, that would hopefully lead to something else.
I had a taste of international rugby with Fiji and thoroughly enjoyed that. So clearly for me it was a matter of how would I fit in in Wales outside of rugby. I have really, really enjoyed the experience both in the rugby environment and outside it. So when the team started to perform and play as well as we’d hoped if this opportunity arose I was going to look very seriously at it. For me, it was a no brainer at the end of the day. Going through process, the Union’s in good hands and I’d like to be a part of it.
Q: Are you comfortable with the long lead-in time you are going to have in taking up the job? A:
I think that’s fantastic from a coaching point of view.
Firstly, I have got a role to do with the Scarlets and that will continue. Nothing will change there for the next 12 months. But outside of the working day there are going to be opportunities to sit down with Martyn and Gareth and other members of the WRU and start doing some of the groundwork necessary to get myself up to speed. Having that ability to observe and plan early is going to be the benefit of all involved.
Q: So will you have any input to the Wales team over the next 12 months? A:
The next 12 months will be solely coaching the Scarlets and looking forward to 2023. Warren is the man in charge of Wales and I will be in supportive role as the other regions are.
Q: Have you spoken to Warren about your appointment? A:
I haven’t had a chance just yet. I’ve been in New Zealand and I just flew in yesterday. I will be talking to Warren obviously in the coming days and weeks and making sure we continue to work together for the benefit of Welsh rugby.
Q: In terms of your back-up team, will you be bringing coaches from the Scarlets? A:
It’s something that we’ll work through over the next 12 months. There is no rush on that. We need to get the personnel we can so we get the best results for the country. If that means everybody is from within Wales or we have to go outside Wales, we will go through that in a timely manner.
Q: Stephen Jones has been a big