Wayne Pivac has left his job as head coach of Wales and been replaced by his predecessor Warren Gatland, who is set to lead the nation into a fourth consecutive Rugby World Cup.
Gatland’s return was first reported as a probability on the front-page story of The Rugby Paper Welsh edition last Sunday, with Pivac having led his side to a third of four Autumn defeats, including one to Georgia in the same year Italy had also beaten them at home.
Pivac had some impressive achievements at the helm, most notably claiming the Six Nations title in 2021 – and being seconds away from a grand slam that year – and recording Wales’ first win on South African soil this Summer.
But a perceived lack of progress, coupled with the two chastening aforementioned defeats, has left the WRU feeling that their best chance of competing at next year’s World Cup is to return to a man who delivered them two semi-final places in three tournaments, with Wales having only previously reached one.
Wales’ most successful and longest serving coach is back to take over from fellow New Zealander Pivac, and though WRU CEO Steve Phillips said it was a difficult decision to let go of Pivac, it was one he felt he had to make.
“This is one of the toughest calls to make in sport, but the review process has reached its conclusion and we have acted quickly and efficiently in the very best interests of our national team,” said Phillips.
“Ultimately we are in the results business and we have agreed with Wayne that the current trajectory for Wales is not where we want it to be and we thank him sincerely for his time, enthusiasm, diligence and effort, which is unquestioned, as head coach over the last three years.”
Gatland won the Six Nations with a grand slam in 2008, 2012 and 2019, while Rob Howley oversaw his troops to claim the 2013 title while Gatland was preparing for his first tour as Lions coach.
He was victorious in that 2013 tour to Australia, before drawing a series in New Zealand in 2017 and losing in South Africa last year.
Gatland takes on the Welsh team in ninth, with their place in the World rankings having only once been lower since he was first appointed in January 2008.
Within in a year of his first appointment he had taken Wales from tenth to fourth and also oversaw Wales’ rise from tenth under Howley to second during the 2015 Rugby World Cup, a tournament where he famously guided an injury-hit squad to victory against hosts England.
That result came in a tournament where Wales fell at the quarter-finals to South Africa, and though the same opposition ended their 2019 campaign, this was at the semi-final stage; the second time Gatland took Wales to that round.
Perhaps the closest Wales came to winning the Webb Ellis Cup came in 2011 where they were agonisingly beaten 9-8 by France after seeing then-captain Sam Warburton sent off.
That was Gatland’s first World Cup, and with Phillips keen to show this is not a panic-appointment he has confirmed that after taking Wales to a fourth in 2023, Gatland will be looking to make it five four years later.
“It has also been important to both parties to ensure we get absolute maximum gain out of the return of such an experienced and highly regarded individual,” Phillips added.
“It is for this reason that we are particularly pleased to have been able to secure Warren’s services for the next few years with the ability to go to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
“This appointment is no quick fix, nor sticking plaster, it is part of our long term planning for the game in Wales.
“We have been able to take swift action in difficult circumstances and that is testament to the good grace and professionalism of Wayne and the efficiency of our review process.”
Gatland was clearly delighted to be returning to the Principality, but was immediately focused on the hard work of re-building the team’s confidence for the Six Nations and getting the team back on track in time for the World Cup.
“This is an opportunity to achieve something with a talented group of players in a country so passionate about rugby. A country which made my family and I so welcome, when we first arrived fifteen years ago, and all the time we were there.
“Our immediate priority is obviously the 2023 Guinness Six Nations and next year’s Rugby World Cup.
“There is little time for sentiment, professional sport is all about preparation, values and results. There will be new challenges as there always is with a change in head coach, but for me the environment, the players and their families will always come first.
“We must prepare to the best of our ability in the time available. We will value and respect each other, we will work hard and, if we get this right together, performances and results will follow.”
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