Waratahs target conference sweep with Brumbies win

Another Kiwi to replace Gatland as Wales coach after RWC

Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina plays a return to Gilles Simon of France during their men’s singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in

London on July 10. (AP)

SYDNEY, July 10, (Agencies): The New South Wales Waratahs are targeting a perfect 2018 Australian conference record of eight wins in as many matches when they host the ACT Brumbies in the final round of Super Rugby fixtures on Saturday.

The Waratahs secured a recordbreaking 77-25 win over the Sunwolves last weekend to clinch the Australian conference title and extend their winning streak in the section to seven matches.

The victory also helped the Waratahs climb to second in the overall standings behind the Canterbury Crusaders, and it’s going to be about the physical contest as opposed to the running and the getting back on feet that we had last week.”

Meanwhile, the fourth New Zealander to become Wales rugby coach says he’s been immersed in the principality so long that, “I feel as if I am a Welsh coach.”

Wayne Pivac was appointed on Monday as the successor to Warren Gatland when the latter steps down as Wales coach in December 2019 after the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Pivac moved to Wales to take over the Scarlets in 2014. He led the regional team to the Pro12 title last year and to the Champions Cup semifinals this year, all the while playing an exciting brand of rugby and filling Gatland’s national side.

“I don’t feel like an outsider,” Pivac said.

“The biggest thing about putting myself through this process was that I have been living in Wales for four years. It is an advantage to know regional rugby the way I do, what goes on in the regional game, and working with the WRU. I felt more comfortable putting my name forward and I feel as if I am a Welsh coach.”

Pivac

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