Rugby: Wayne Pivac in line for Wales coaching job

  • 09/07/2018
The Scarlets boss would become the fourth Kiwi to fill the role.
The Scarlets boss would become the fourth Kiwi to fill the role. Photo credit: Reuters

New Zealander Wayne Pivac is expected to be confirmed as Warren Gatland’s Successor for the Wales rugby coach role this week.

The former Northland, North Harbour, Auckland, Fiji and currently Scarlets coach has reportedly beaten out Dave Rennie for the Welsh job, the Telegraph is reporting.

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson was also being linked to the job, but he is apparently happy to stay with the Crusaders.

Gatland has been in charge of Wales since 2008 and will step down following next year's Rugby World Cup to return home to New Zealand.

During his time in the northern hemisphere, Wales clinched two Six Nations Grand Slam titles in 2008 and 2012, and reached the 2011 Rugby World Cup semi-finals.

Wales assistant Rob Howley, who has acted as caretaker coach at times in recent years, is expected to leave the set-up with Gatland in 2019.

Pivac would become the fourth New Zealander to take charge of Wales, following Graham Henry (1998-2002), Steve Hansen (2002-2004) and Gatland.

Henry and Hansen went on to win the Rugby World Cup as All Blacks head coaches.

"The union have been quite smart in trying to announce that early enough,” Gatland said regarding his successor last month during Wales tour of Argentina.

"There’s no doubt that probably four or five coaches will be available post-World Cup, and there will be a number of nations looking for new coaches as well.

"Wales have tried to get on the front foot and make that appointment early, but we just need to be smart in how we manage the next 12 months."

Pivac has been in charge of Scarlets since 2014 and has had plenty of success.  They won the Guinness Pro crown in 2017 and made the final again last season, as well as the European Champions Cup semi-finals.

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