Pivac out....Gatland in
Wayne Pivac has been relieved of his Wales head coach duties and Warren Gatland will make a sensational return to Welsh rugby this side of Christmas, it has been announced.
Gatland will be in charge for the 2023 Six Nations and Rugby World Cup, and could stay even longer with what the Welsh Rugby Union describe as "the ability to go through the next World Cup cycle up to and including Australia 2027".
Pivac has headed for the exit door after overseeing just three wins in 12 Tests during 2022. In November alone, Pivac's Wales were hammered by New Zealand and threw away leads to implode in the closing quarter against both Australia and Georgia, forming the basis of a damning post-autumn review. Those results led to the Welsh Rugby Union hierarchy deciding that a changing of the guard was necessary nine months out from a World Cup. You can read Pivac's final words as Wales coach here.
The WRU said of Gatland's return: "Wales’ most successful and longest serving coach is back to take over from fellow New Zealander Pivac, who has agreed to part company with the WRU after the official 2022 Autumn Nations Series review was completed and approved by the WRU Board."
"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," WRU chief executive Steve Phillips said. "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."
Three-time Lions coach Gatland, 59, oversaw four Six Nations titles and three Grand Slams with Wales between 2007 and 2019 before moving on to pastures new three years ago, when Pivac succeeded him. The WRU has reached an agreement with New Zealand Rugby for Gatland to be released with immediate effect from his existing contract as director of rugby of Super Rugby side Chiefs.
Wales Online
Gatland will be in charge for the 2023 Six Nations and Rugby World Cup, and could stay even longer with what the Welsh Rugby Union describe as "the ability to go through the next World Cup cycle up to and including Australia 2027".
Pivac has headed for the exit door after overseeing just three wins in 12 Tests during 2022. In November alone, Pivac's Wales were hammered by New Zealand and threw away leads to implode in the closing quarter against both Australia and Georgia, forming the basis of a damning post-autumn review. Those results led to the Welsh Rugby Union hierarchy deciding that a changing of the guard was necessary nine months out from a World Cup. You can read Pivac's final words as Wales coach here.
The WRU said of Gatland's return: "Wales’ most successful and longest serving coach is back to take over from fellow New Zealander Pivac, who has agreed to part company with the WRU after the official 2022 Autumn Nations Series review was completed and approved by the WRU Board."
"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," WRU chief executive Steve Phillips said. "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."
Three-time Lions coach Gatland, 59, oversaw four Six Nations titles and three Grand Slams with Wales between 2007 and 2019 before moving on to pastures new three years ago, when Pivac succeeded him. The WRU has reached an agreement with New Zealand Rugby for Gatland to be released with immediate effect from his existing contract as director of rugby of Super Rugby side Chiefs.
Wales Online
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