Scarlets set to scour New Zealand for new coach
THE Scarlets are in the market for another New Zealand coach when Wayne Pivac departs for the Welsh job after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Aucklander Pivac takes over the Welsh reins from fellow Kiwi Warren Gatland, having joined the Scarlets in the summer of 2014.
In that time he’s helped transform the region, with a Guinness PRO rugby title arriving in 2017 and a Champions Cup run to the semi-finals last season.
The region also missed out on the Guinness PRO14 title last season, losing in the final to Leinster.
It makes the Scarlets coaching job an attractive career opportunity.
And with a short-list and interview process under way, Pivac’s successor could well be announced some time next month.
Benetton’s Kieran Crowley is among the Kiwis mentioned as a possible successor.
The 57-year-old Taranaki-born full-back spent nine years with his home club before taking on the New Zealand Under-19 team and then the Canadian national side before moving to Italy in 2016.
While tight-lipped on specific candidates, Scarlets general manager Jon Daniels confirmed New Zealand coaches were in the mix to replace Pivac next season.
He told the New Zealand Herald: “Yes, there are Kiwis who have expressed an interest.
“Warren has been here over a decade now and Wayne has added to that with his four years and the success he has brought and now going on to coach Wales as well.
“Maybe Kiwis have a natural empathy and understanding for the Welsh way of life and the way we play rugby.
“We admire and respect the winning mentality Kiwi coaches tend to bring as well.
“That’s why those partnerships have worked well in the past.
“This is a performance sport so we need to open the net as wide as possible to get the right person.
“We are looking for someone with a track record of leading winning teams — somebody who likes to lead teams who play at a high tempo but with the ability to go into an arm wrestle if need be as well.
“The success we’ve had, the style of rugby Wayne and the team have delivered, is part of our DNA.
“For coaches who like to play that way, hopefully we should be an attractive proposition.”
And Daniels admitted Pivac will be consulted throughout the selection process.
“We’d be mad not to use someone of Wayne’s experience,” he added.
“He’s got a unique perspective on who he thinks might be compatible and maybe who isn’t.
“Whoever comes in is also going to need to have a good working relationship with the national coach.”