THE WAYNE PIVAC Q&A
good performance. We’re conscious that it’s our first time in charge I guess, in a home game, with the roof on.
We were happy to have it on and Franco Smith, also. I think that’s an indicator that this should be quite an open affair.
Q: What do you make of Franco Smith’s selection? WP:
We haven’t spoken about them yet, but we’ve seen it. It will be interesting.
That and having the roof on would indicate that they’re going to move a lot of ball. I think that’ll be good to see.
We’ll talk about them later today and again tomorrow.
It will be interesting to see what they do defensively as opposed to attack really, I think we know what’s coming.
Q: Personally, are you looking forward to your first full Test match in charge? WP:
In 2005, I was coaching Fiji against Wales and that was a great occasion. They marketed it well and I think there were 70-odd thousand, which will be similar to this game.
I’m really looking forward to it. A year has gone down to months, down to weeks and now it’s just a matter of days.
I’m excited to see the way the boys are working in and around the environment, there’s a good vibe around the place.
They’re working hard for each other and that’s exactly what we want.
Q: How tempted were you to select Louis Rees-Zammit in this game? WP:
When we selected Louis, we looked at the Italian game as being a possibility.
But unfortunately he came into camp with an injury and couldn’t train much last week, I think he had the one run. Then, of course, being an exile, he had to go home.
He hasn’t had the opportunities that Johnny McNicholl and Josh Adams have. It’s counted against him, the injury and the unavailability.
It’s just been too short of time for him.
But, certainly, today when he trained he looked good. He’s definitely got a big bright future in the game.
Q: You’ve spent a bit more time with the players now, have any taken you by surprise? WP:
Not really by surprise, you do your homework. You get a rundown on the players that you are inheriting.
To be honest, any surprises have been pleasant surprises. I’m very happy with the entire group at the moment.
Off the field as well as on the field there has been a good vibe. There are a lot of good conversations going on between the coaches and the players.
There have been a lot of good conversations with the medical team, a lot of good discussions.
It’s all pretty positive and we’re very happy at the moment.
Q: After 12 years of Warren Gatland, is there anything different they should expect from you? WP:
The first thing is, we’re no different, we’re passionate about the game and we want to win.
At the end of the day, you take an ugly win over a pretty loss.
I’m very conscious of focusing on how we want to play the game.
It’s about making sure we prepare well and put on a performance that we as a group are proud of.
If we can do that then I’m sure the spectators and everyone else will enjoy themselves.
We’re working hard on our attack but it’s going to take a little bit of time. Some of the skill sets need to improve but where there is a will,
Q: You’ve said you don’t want to defend the title, you want to win it again, do you believe you’re capable of that? WP:
This coaching group want to win it because we’ve never done it before, we haven’t been involved.
For us, it’s certainly not ours to defend and I don’t think that would be the right mental approach to have