🏉 What really happened when Wayne Pivac was shown the exit as Wales coach? The former boss opens up about being in talks to extend his contract to stay on until the 2027 World Cup, just weeks before he was let go. After becoming the first coach to lead Wales to losses against Italy and Georgia in Cardiff, Pivac was replaced by none other than Warren Gatland.
In a candid chat on the BBC’s Scrum V podcast, Pivac revealed that despite a historic win over the Springboks in South Africa, it wasn’t enough to keep him in the role. The Welsh Rugby Union had promised he’d be judged on Six Nations results, but it turns out the November defeats were the final straw. Pivac maintains they were on a mission to develop young talent and build squad depth, preparing for the long haul.
Reflecting on his time, Pivac says he wishes he’d had the chance to take Wales through another World Cup cycle, learning from mistakes and successes much like New Zealand did with Graham Henry, who went on to win a World Cup after a disappointing exit.
Since leaving Wales, Pivac has been snapped up by Italian side Benetton, but he still harks back to his time with the Welsh squad with pride. He was saddened by the departure of assistants Stephen Jones and Gethin Jenkins under Gatland’s new regime.
Interestingly, Pivac’s infamous loss to Georgia has been revisited after a massive doping scandal rocked the Georgian national team. Several players were handed lengthy bans, leaving questions about their Cardiff performance.
No hard feelings though! Pivac said he treasures his nine-year stint in Wales and has no regrets. What do you make of Pivac’s revelations? Could things have been different for Wales with a longer-term vision? Let us know your thoughts! 🏉💬
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