Pivac planning for France... but Aussies come first
TOMORROW, Wayne Pivac and a delegation from Welsh rugby are slated to head for France. ‘A whistle-stop tour,’ the coach called it. Ten months out from the World Cup, they will visit the four Pool C venues and the stadiums where they might play a quarter-final. There are hotels, training venues and recovery pools to find. That’s the idea anyway. Unfortunately, not much has gone to plan in recent times. So you imagine the trip is only pencilled into Pivac’s diary. After defeat by Georgia, a new low in a miserable year that already included a home loss to Italy, the coach is clinging on to his job. Even victory over Australia today might not save him. But that is the least Pivac needs, surely, before he can continue World Cup planning and ponder Wales’ next meeting with the Wallabies — in Lyon, when they collide in Pool C. ‘Without hyping it up, I think it is a must-win game for both sides,’ George North (right) admitted this week. Unfortunately, at least one of Pivac and Dave Rennie will be denied the victory they need. Both coaches are under pressure after a miserable autumn. Wales looked to have jumpstarted their campaign with victory over Argentina, only to suffer humiliation at the hands of Georgia. Their record in 2022? Played 11, won just three. Another defeat would cap their worst year since 2007.
The vultures are circling over Australia coach Rennie, too, after three straight defeats — including a first-ever loss to Italy. The Wallabies arrive in Cardiff savaged by injuries, meaning the former Glasgow Warriors boss has been forced to patch together a team. Pivac has also rung the changes. Back come Alun Wyn Jones, Taulupe Faletau, Leigh Halfpenny and Gareth Anscombe. Joe Hawkins comes in for a debut at centre. There are some wondering whether it matters who Pivac picks.
Are the players still playing for him, anyway? ‘It’s a good question. We are always mindful of body language,’ the coach said. ‘If I felt that was the case, then it would be a discussion to have but the reaction of the players this week has been nothing but faultless really.’ North agrees. The 30-year-old hasn’t known many times as bleak as this in his 12-year Wales career but he insisted: ‘The reaction this week has been brilliant. The boys have been honest and that’s what we needed to be, and getting down to the hard graft. Australia will want to come in all guns blazing and we have to be ready.’ Kick-off: TV: LIVE