Latest news with #Pivac
Wales Online
7 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Former Wales coach starts new job and Erasmus' laptop secrets stunned Eddie Jones
Former Wales coach starts new job and Erasmus' laptop secrets stunned Eddie Jones The latest rugby news headlines from Wales and beyond. Wayne Pivac will start his new role in 2026. (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd) Your rugby evening headlines on Tuesday, August 12. Wayne Pivac in new role Former Wales head coach Wayne Pivac is throwing himself into a new role with Pakuranga Rugby Club in New Zealand. Pivac, formerly at the helm with Scarlets, was recently announced as director of rugby (DOR) for Pakuranga in Auckland. He first held the role 15 years ago before his career progressed to a higher level. The 62-year-old replaces Grant 'Boof' Henson as the DOR, who saw out the end of the 2025 season. 'Boof' held the position for four years, and contributed into the introduction of a women's team, a National Club Cup title for the Under 85kg Panthers and several players earning higher honours. Pivac said: "I am absolutely thrilled to be joining forces once again with the team at Pakuranga Rugby. I'm very much looking forward to the new role, where I will be able to help players coaches and administrators within the club and supporting schools." Pakuranga Rugby General Manager Mike Anderson added: "It is humbling as general manager and a long-time club member, to have someone of Wayne's experience and skills set, make a commitment to the Pakuranga United Rugby Club. Article continues below "He has expressed a genuine desire to engage with players from school level and show player pathways, mentor coaches, like he has been mentored over his coaching journey. I am looking forward to work with Wayne." After he left Wales in 2022 following a difficult run of results, Pivac coached in Japan with NEC Green Rockets, where he was reunited with the likes of Rhys Patchell and Jake Ball during his time there. He left his role after the team fell short of promotion back to League One. His new side Pakuranga compete in Auckland's Premier Division One league. The new season starts in 2026, where Pivac will try to help the side improve on their fifth place finish in this year's competition, which concluded just a few weeks ago. Eddie Jones reveals secrets of Rassie Erasmus Japan head coach Eddie Jones has revealed what he learned from South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus after he inherited his laptop in 2007. South Africa will begin their Rugby Championship campaign against Australia at Ellis Park on Saturday, August 16, and Erasmus' team will be defending their 2024 crown. Prior to last year, South Africa had not won the competition since 2019, the year they won the World Cup. However, now they have the challenge of keeping the trophy out of the clutches of New Zealand, who won it every year in between. While Erasmus is recognised as a charismatic rugby man who isn't afraid of speaking his mind, former England boss Jones has revealed just how much work Erasmus puts in to his rugby coaching. Writing in his Planet Rugby column, Jones said: "In 2007, I took over from Rassie at the Springboks as technical advisor – he moved to the Stormers at that time as head coach, leaving the technical role vacant. "I inherited his laptop from the Bok management, and I couldn't believe my eyes at the detail and the depth of the work I found on it. Every player, every team and every scenario had deep playbooks and strategy around them; there was hardly a hole in his work, all underpinned by logic, proof and, really importantly, all placed within the context of the way the Boks played. "It was a treasure trove of rugby data and analysis that really had a huge impact on me and it made me realise the deep technical understanding that Rassie has underneath his charismatic media persona." Cardiff appoint new coach Cardiff Rugby have appointed Saul Nelson as academy forwards coach. Nelson will join the capital city region on secondment from RGC and will join the set-up as a front-five expert. As a player, Nelson represented Cardiff, Bristol, Exeter and London Welsh. He has spent 15 years coaching young talent, holding roles at Filton College, Cross Keys, the Welsh Rugby Union, as well as RGC. "Having grown up in Cardiff, I have so many fond memories of playing for Cardiff Schools and Cardiff Youth," began Nelson. "To coach within the Academy Pathway at Cardiff Rugby is a huge honour for me. "We have a lot of talented front five players throughout our region. These young men share the same dreams I once had of playing for Cardiff and Wales, I am very excited about working closely with them and their families to achieve this. "I'd like to thank RGC, Cardiff Rugby and the WRU for the fantastic support they have shown me and my family." Welsh Rugby Union Player Development and Pathway Lead John Alder also said: "We're delighted at Saul's appointment to Cardiff Rugby Regional Academy. "Saul is a passionate and committed coach with a diverse career in rugby in education, Academy, and international age grade settings coupled with a strong connection to the Cardiff area. "He will bring invaluable coaching expertise particularly in the area of scrum, throwing, and set piece to aspiring professional players in the Cardiff region. We look forward to following the impact he will have." Red Bull complete Newcastle Falcons takeover By Ed Elliot, PA Energy drinks company Red Bull has completed its takeover of Newcastle Falcons. The Gallagher PREM club, who will continue to play at Kingston Park and retain Steve Diamond as director of rugby, will now be known as Newcastle Red Bulls. Red Bull has aspirations for the team to compete for trophies in England and Europe in the coming years. The Austria-based company already has significant business interests in football, motor racing and winter sports. Newcastle finished bottom of the Premiership table in each of the last three seasons. The new ownership has pledged to develop local rugby talent through a 'strengthened academy program' and deliver 'a world-class fan experience'. Article continues below Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull CEO of corporate projects and investments, said: 'Together, we aim to elevate rugby to new heights and deliver unforgettable moments for our fans. 'We're delighted to have acquired Newcastle Red Bulls and look forward to empowering the club to reach its full competitive potential.' Newcastle begin the new season on Friday, September 26 at home to Saracens.
Wales Online
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
The Wayne Pivac interview: The man I think should coach Wales and the job I'd like in Welsh rugby
The Wayne Pivac interview: The man I think should coach Wales and the job I'd like in Welsh rugby Former Wales coach Wayne Pivac chats exclusively to WalesOnline Former Wales boss Wayne Pivac is on the lookout for a new job (Image: PA ) Wayne Pivac knows better than most how tough the Welsh rugby landscape can be. The 62-year-old led Wales to a Six Nations title in 2021 and a historic first win over South Africa on their own turf a year later. Yet, despite those highs, he was dismissed just months before the 2023 World Cup—his fate sealed after a shock home defeat to Georgia. Prior to his appointment as Wales coach Pivac was the second coming in the eyes of many Welsh rugby fans after leading the Scarlets to the PRO12 title and a Champions Cup semi-final in scintillating fashion. But the cracks had already begun appearing in Welsh rugby prior to his appointment as national coach. And if they were beginning to show when Pivac was in charge, by the time his predecessor Warren Gatland became his successor they had blown apart with a run of 17 straight defeats. Speaking from his home in Japan, where he recently decided to part ways with NEC Green Rockets, Pivac warns Welsh rugby it must change if it is to become a successful rugby nation again. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "I felt a little bit of frustration watching the team after I left, especially post the World Cup," Pivac tells WalesOnline. "I thought they did well in the World Cup but it was really after that, seeing the further decline, results-wise. "That was frustrating knowing what we were dealing with towards the end of my tenure there. To see more of the same and things get worse if anything it was frustrating. Article continues below "I think most people can now see it is not one person's fault or a couple of coaches. I arrived in Wales in 2014 and some of the same issues we were dealing with back then are still prevalent over a decade later." Pivac is in part referring to the state of the professional game below the national side. Wales' four professional clubs - Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets - have not tasted consistent success for a number of years, while there has never been full alignment with the WRU. Welsh rugby continues to shoot itself in the foot with both the Ospreys and Scarlets refusing to sign the new Professional Rugby Agreement as a result of the WRU's acquisition of Cardiff Rugby, throwing the game into despair to the point where a reduction of professional clubs is a very real possibility. "We need to look at the number of teams and what, from a high-performance perspective, is the best way to go," said Pivac. "This will upset a few people but I think we were very close to a structure which would have been great for Welsh rugby back in 2019. "That was going to be combining the Scarlets and the Ospreys along with creating a professional team in north Wales. If you looked at both those squads at the time we would have had a team very similar to Leinster. "It would have been full of Welsh internationals. Also, imagine putting together a coaching team which included the likes of myself, Stephen Jones and Steve Tandy. "It would have been a very strong coaching and playing group if we'd all come together. It was pretty exciting at the time, to be honest. "I also think starting a team in north Wales geographically would have worked a lot better. It came so close but fell over at the last hurdle. "Those sorts of discussions have been going on for a long time. When money slowly declines and is unavailable something has to give. I don't know how you can maintain the same number of professional players and see the standards drop and not make some changes. "From a national squad point of view, you want your players coming into camp off the back of doing well in the Champions Cup. Whether we go down to three teams or adopt a 2+2 funding model, something has got to change, in my opinion." One thing which will change over the next few months is the Wales coaching team with the WRU on the lookout for Gatland's long-term successor. Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt will lead Wales to Japan this summer with Danny Wilson (forwards), Adam Jones (scrum) and T. Rhys Thomas (skills) chosen as his assistants. As a previous head coach of Wales, and having been involved at regional level for a number of years, Pivac is the perfect man to give his view on what the WRU should do. "Straight off the bat I think Steve Tandy would be a great appointment," he said. "He's Welsh, he's coached regionally, he understands all of the issues Welsh coaches would be facing coming into the job, he has had international experience and done a very good job with Scotland. "I know when I was coaching Wales Steve was always good to catch up with. I think he'd do a very good job. "I think Stephen Jones would have to be invited back, if it was down to me, because I think he's got so much to offer. But whoever the head coach is, they'll put together their own team. "Matt Sherratt has done a good job and is doing a fantastic job with Cardiff. It would be hard not to find a position there if he wanted it. "I think there are some very capable people coaching in Wales and I think that's important to coach the Welsh team. "I think it was a no-brainer for Warren to keep Stephen on after I left, especially as he used him as his attack coach when Wales reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2019, after Rob (Howley) was relieved of his duties. He did a really good job there. "I was really surprised Warren didn't keep him on, so there'd be some continuity between two groups especially as he'd been away for a couple of years. That was surprising for me but I think he has a lot to offer. "I think Stephen has the ability, if he wants to go down that path in the future, to be a head coach. But he's done a good job in the past as an attack coach, he's done a great job with Moana Pasifika." Pivac has experienced the rough and the smooth as a coach but is an extremely experienced campaigner. After a two-year stint in Japan with NEC Green Rockets the former Auckland and Fiji coach is on the look out for a new challenge and wouldn't rule out a return to Wales. "I'm going to be really interested to see what the WRU do with the next coaching group," he said. "I've got an idea of what I think might happen but if some of the current crew who are going to Japan end up staying on, then you could probably see Cardiff looking for some new coaches. "Having lived in that area, that's something if it did come up I'd be interested in having a conversation around. You'll have some teams with a three-to-five-year development plan in place and they'll want somebody to head that. "Realistically at my age I'm not looking for three to five year contracts. "I'm probably more around the two-to-three-year contracts, where I can go in to help a club but not just helping achieve better results and developing rugby players but also the succession plan for coaching." The former Wales coach is now a free agent having departed NEC Green Rockets and is open to opportunities both in Japan and the northern hemisphere. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Pivac is hugely passionate about mentoring coaches and is adamant he could add great value as a director of rugby, helping progress the career of a young head coach. "It's something I've been talking about a lot behind the scenes with a few people at the moment," Pivac admitted. "Some people wouldn't want an ex-coach in there thinking they might want to take over one day and they could actually be an issue for you. "But if you get the right person who has been there and done it who also understands what it takes and what players need to focus on then they can be of great assistance as long as you've got a rapport with a head coach. "It's a bit like David Nucifora who used to be a head coach but he loves that role he's in now. That's a role I would really enjoy doing and for me it would be a good fit in Wales. "Having a person assisting the development of the game in Wales who has coached the national team and understands all the strengths and weaknesses of the union and what needs to be done to improve the game. "I want to develop young coaches so that's how I want to finish my coaching career. I want to help a team create a succession plan of coaching that can help young coaches and young players." Welsh rugby is at its lowest point since the game turned professional with Wales having lost 17 Test matches on the bounce - a record for a tier one nation. Wales travel to Japan this summer desperate to get back to winning ways. Pivac believes it will be a tough challenge for Wales but he does see some green shoots of encouragement. "The big thing that is going to confront the Welsh this summer is going to be the conditions," he said. "That's the first thing to get used to. "I'd be wrapping the boys up in rubbish bags underneath their jerseys to make them sweat a bit because it is going to be very hot over here. The humidity will also be up. "The Japanese like to play with speed. Generally speaking the games over here are usually high scoring. "There's a lot of ball movement and Eddie Jones watching them play against the All Blacks live earlier on in the year - even though they got beaten convincingly - they threw the ball around a lot. "They were also very quick on turnover transitions, so Wales will have to be on the money defensively." Having gone through some pain Pivac is confident Wales' young talent will begin to turn the corner over the next couple of seasons. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "If you look at Dewi Lake when he gets a season injury free he's going to be a quality international rugby player," he said. "When guys get 30 Test matches under their belt is when you start to build your career at international level. It's not in your first 10 to 15 caps you've got to get that experience under your belt. "There's a lot of guys now who are at that stage. I've been very impressed with Blair Murray who has scored a lot of tries and is an exciting rugby player. "There's some good young ones coming through. I like what they are doing at 10 with the likes of Ben Thomas. I think a guy in the team who can play 10 and 12 is very handy to have. Article continues below "There's some good quality young players coming through in Wales but it is really hard when a lot of those young players get thrust into international rugby at the same time. "We've had a turnover of some very experienced players and there's a lot of young guys in there at the moment but they will be much better for that experience." Wayne Pivac understands Welsh rugby's struggles, but his experience and coaching expertise mean he still has plenty to offer—whether in Wales or anywhere else looking to rebuild.
Wales Online
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
WRU must find a way to bring back sacked Wales coach
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Over the next few weeks the Welsh Rugby Union will be announcing a raft of new appointments which they view as integral to their quest of getting the game in Wales back on track. Former FA chief Dave Reddin will be appointed director of rugby, while Steve Tandy is the front runner to succeed Warren Gatland as head coach - although that deal has not been finalised yet - but one man who should be targeted for a return is Stephen Jones. In Wales we have this awful habit of throwing coaches into the dustbin after one or two rocky spells, but failure is a part of the journey to success; just look at Steve Hansen's time with Wales. To many Welsh fans, Jones is tainted by the fact he was aligned with former Wales head coach Wayne Pivac. After a mixed spell with Wales between 2020 to 2022, Pivac and most of his backroom team were relieved of their duties. But prior to Wales' struggles under Pivac Jones was hailed as the second coming by many within the Welsh game. The former Wales playmaker is an innovative attack coach and while Pivac got much of the credit, Jones was the mastermind behind the Scarlets' sensational surge to the old PRO12 title in 2017 and their march to a Champions Cup semi-final the previous season. Prior to that Jones was very highly-thought of by Wasps where he was an attack coach working under Dai Young. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Following Wales' departure, Jones was deemed surplus to requirement by Warren Gatland but by all accounts he has been doing an excellent job as Tana Umaga's right-hand man with Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. (Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency) Pivac's tenure is viewed negatively but Wales did play some excellent attacking rugby at times, especially during the 2021 Six Nations title-winning season and the summer tour of South Africa in 2022 where they won a first ever Test match in the Rainbow Nation against the Springboks. Also, during Pivac's final game in charge against Australia, Wales played some breathtaking attacking rugby to lead 34-13 before self-imploding late on and handing the game to the Wallabies on a plate. Wales' struggles under Pivac weren't necessarily down to the attack because they failed to dominate the breakdown while they were unable to compete as well physically as they did during the first Gatland era. Jones deserves another shot at Welsh rugby whether that is as an attack coach with the senior side, with one of Wales' professional clubs or even working within the pathway. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Welsh rugby has lost a huge amount of coaching IP and as part of the One Wales strategy the WRU should be targeting the likes of Jones, former Cardiff boss Young and Leinster forwards coach Robin McBryde, among others, for a return to Wales. It would also be a crying shame if Rob Howley were not retained by the WRU because the former Wales scrum-half is doing a fantastic job with the pathway. (Image: © Huw Evans Picture Agency) One only need look at the situation in England following their group stage exit at their own Rugby World Cup in 2015. The Rugby Football Union got rid of almost the entire coaching team of Stuart Lancaster, Andy Farrell, Mike Catt and Graham Rowntree. It would have been easy for other governing bodies or club's to have viewed the likes of Lancaster or Farrell as failures, putting an end to their coaching careers. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free But they have learnt the lessons from the ill-fated 2015 World Cup campaign and have gone on to establish themselves as some of the best coaches in the world. Farrell has led Ireland to unprecedented success and is now head coach of the British & Irish Lions while Lancaster did a good job at Leinster and is highly-respected. Both Catt and Rowntree have also gone on to experience success elsewhere. The WRU rugby needs to learn from the RFU's mistakes and work hard to persuade some of the more experienced Welsh coaches back to Wales.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gatland's Wales tale shows dangers of going back
They say never go back. Or if you do go back, then know how long for. When Warren Gatland became Wales head coach for a second time in December 2022, he acknowledged he was putting his reputation and legacy on the line. Gatland had been Wales' most successful and longest-serving coach in his first 12-year spell in charge. He even had a set of gates named after him outside the Principality Stadium. Now he has gone, in another remarkable day in the troubled world of Welsh rugby. Gatland's return, a month in France during the 2023 World Cup aside, has not worked out as hoped. His overall record stands at 151 matches with 76 wins, 73 defeats and two draws. The two spells at the helm could not be more contrasting. During his first stint in charge, Gatland recorded 70 wins in 125 games with 53 defeats and two draws, a success rate of 56%. He guided Wales to three Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-finals, while taking sabbaticals to lead the British and Irish Lions to a series victory against Australia in 2013 and a draw against the All Blacks four years later. Wales even briefly topped the world rankings in August 2019 after a record 14-match unbeaten run. In stark contrast, Gatland has now presided over statistically the worst Wales side in their 144-year international rugby history, with 14 successive Test losses. In his second spell as Wales head coach, there were six wins and 20 losses in 26 matches, a success rate of less than 25%. From the world's best to Wales' worst - what went wrong? Wales head coach role is attractive - Tierney Who is new Wales caretaker head coach Matt Sherratt? Gatland leaves Wales head coach role during Six Nations It was only three years ago that Gatland's fellow New Zealander Wayne Pivac was struggling in the Wales head coach role. Despite brief highs of a 2021 Six Nations title and a first men's Test win in South Africa the following year, Pivac's fate was sealed following a poor autumn series in 2022 which included defeats against New Zealand, Georgia and Australia. It was the Georgia humbling that proved the breaking point, occurring as it did in the same year Wales lost against Italy at home for the first time. Wales won only three of 12 games in 2022, with Pivac's three-year tenure seeing them slip to ninth in the world rankings. Gatland's shadow had been looming over Pivac, almost literally, as he stood ominously on the Principality Stadium pitch in his role as a television pundit. With the World Cup looming, Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Steve Phillips decided to make a change and Pivac departed. Despite talk of interest in Gatland from England, the change was completed quickly and he was in place for the 2023 Six Nations. Gatland ended his first Welsh tenure following a fourth-place finish in the 2019 World Cup in Japan, stating on his farewell it would "break my heart if Wales went back into the doldrums". With Covid striking, Gatland had an unsuccessful stint as Waikato Chiefs head coach before the Lions employed him for a third time for the Test series against South Africa in 2021, which the Springboks won 2-1. Gatland returned to Chiefs as director of rugby before Wales came calling again. He immediately changed the backroom staff by replacing former players Stephen Jones and Gethin Jenkins with Alex King and Mike Forshaw. No room for sentiment. But Gatland walked into a storm even before a ball was kicked. In January 2023, allegations surfaced in a BBC Wales Investigates programme of sexism and misogyny at the WRU, which ultimately led to Phillips' resignation and his £480,000 pay-off. A month later, the Wales squad threatened to strike for the Six Nations match against England in Cardiff because of disputes over player contracts. The issue was resolved three days before the game but left a stain on the Welsh game, with captain Ken Owens warning the nation had become the "laughing stock of world rugby". It was later to emerge elements of Gatland's conduct during those tricky times had left some players - most notably fly-half Dan Biggar - unimpressed. Wales managed one victory in the tournament, in Italy. In June that year, Gatland commented he might not have returned to the Wales job had he known the true scale of the problems facing Welsh rugby. Gatland has always believed he can bring success when he spends time with players, which World Cup preparation allows. After naming a 54-man training squad, he had to cope with the international retirements of legends Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric, while Owens was unavailable because of injury. Gatland's man-management skills were under scrutiny as prop Rhys Carre was brutally released from the squad for "failing to meet individual performance targets". Intense training camps in Switzerland and Turkey appeared to have worked as Wales stormed to World Cup pool success, with victories against Fiji, Portugal, Australia and Georgia. The 40-6 hammering of Eddie Jones' Wallabies side in Lyon proved the undoubted highlight of Gatland's second spell in charge. Wales suffered quarter-final defeat against Argentina in Marseille. It was a match Gatland felt they should have won, but pride had been restored to Welsh rugby. Here is when history could have been different. With a new four-year World Cup cycle starting, Gatland and the WRU could have said their farewells after he had completed a short-term job. WRU executive director of rugby Nigel Walker stated before the tournament in France he was backing Gatland to lead Wales to the 2027 World Cup, labelling him "one of the best coaches in the world". So Gatland stayed on, but some of his finest players did not. Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny retired from international rugby, Tomas Francis left Wales for a new life in France, Owens hung up his boots and George North quit the Test arena after the 2024 Six Nations. Gatland was left with an inexperienced squad and had to use young players, a situation that saw Wales slump to a first Six Nations wooden spoon in 21 years. Gatland says he offered to resign in the changing room following the defeat by Italy in March 2024 which condemned Wales to a clean sweep of Six Nations losses, but the offer was turned down by WRU chief executive Abi Tierney. He also made headlines again when he stated Welsh rugby sometimes felt like a "sinking ship". A predictable summer loss to South Africa at Twickenham was followed by a 2-0 summer series defeat in Australia. This took Wales to nine successive Test losses, but an opening autumn match against Fiji offered a chance to avoid a record-equalling 10th straight defeat. But a 24-19 loss - Wales' first home loss to Fiji in their history - changed the landscape. Gatland found himself under scrutiny like no other time during his coaching career. There was criticism from former players such as Mike Phillips, Tom Shanklin, Biggar and Jamie Roberts, also a WRU board member. Ex-Wales captain Gwyn Jones accused Gatland of having checked out of his role. The focus intensified when Australia produced a record win in Cardiff to inflict that record 11th successive defeat. Gatland looked a broken man and stated he would leave his post if it was in the best interests of Welsh rugby. He stayed but an inevitable heavy loss against world champions South Africa followed to complete the worst statistical year in Welsh rugby history. Tierney said Gatland's position was "on the line" as an independent review into the miserable autumn campaign was held. Anonymous testimony from players followed with criticism aimed at the coaching staff but Gatland was given the green light to continue for the 2025 Six Nations. New depths were plumbed as his side suffered a record 43-0 loss to France to Paris in the opening game, the first time Wales had failed to score a point under Gatland. Then came the limp performance in Rome in the 22-15 defeat by Italy. That was to prove the final curtain. While Gatland did not have the same standard of players at his disposal in his second spell compared to his first, he was also unable to get the best out of the group in the last 12 months. His selection was muddled, there was a coaching staleness and his style of play has not evolved. His popularity has not waned too much among some fans, with his backers arguing nobody else could have achieved any more. Gatland cannot be blamed for Welsh rugby's deep-rooted problems. There has been no coherent strategy in place, with the WRU and four professional sides only very recently agreeing terms of a new deal. A new coach will inherit the same issues. There will be no quick fix for Gatland's successor, but a fresh face might lift the negativity. Gatland's positive effect on Welsh rugby in that first stint should be applauded and remembered for the glory days he brought. His teams provided magical moments that will struggle to be topped. His original Wales legacy, though, has been dented by his return. Never go back, they say. If you do, know how long to go back for.
BBC News
11-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Gatland's Wales tale shows dangers of going back
They say never go back. Or if you do go back, then know how long Warren Gatland became Wales head coach for a second time in December 2022, he acknowledged he was putting his reputation and legacy on the had been Wales' most successful and longest-serving coach in his first 12-year spell in charge. He even had a set of gates named after him outside the Principality Stadium. Now he has gone in another remarkable day in the troubled world of Welsh return, a month in France during the 2023 World Cup aside, has not worked out as overall record stands at 151 matches with 76 wins, 73 defeats and two draws. The two spells at the helm could not be more contrasting. During his first stint in charge, Gatland recorded 70 wins in 125 games with 53 defeats and two draws, a success rate of 56%.He guided Wales to three Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-finals, while taking sabbaticals to lead the British and Irish Lions to a series victory against Australia in 2013 and a draw against the All Blacks four years even briefly topped the world rankings in August 2019 after a record 14-match unbeaten stark contrast, Gatland has now presided over statistically the worst Wales side in their 144-year international rugby history with 14 successive Test losses. In his second spell as Wales head coach, there were six wins and 20 losses in 26 matches, a success rate of less than 25%.From the world's best to Wales' worst. What went wrong? Return of the Gat It was only three years ago that Gatland's fellow New Zealander Wayne Pivac was struggling in the Wales head coach brief highs of a 2021 Six Nations title and a first men's Test win in South Africa the following year, Pivac's fate was sealed following a poor autumn series in 2022 which included defeats against New Zealand, Georgia and was the Georgia humbling that proved the breaking point, occurring as it did in the same year Wales lost against Italy at home for the first won only three of 12 games in 2022, with Pivac's three-year tenure seeing them slip to ninth in the world shadow had been looming over Pivac, almost literally, as he stood ominously on the Principality Stadium pitch in his role as a television the World Cup looming, Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Steve Phillips decided to make a change and Pivac talk of interest in Gatland from England, the change was completed quickly and he was in place for the 2023 Six Nations. Walking into a storm and strike threat Gatland ended his first Welsh tenure following a fourth-place finish in the 2019 World Cup in Japan, stating on his farewell it would "break my heart if Wales went back into the doldrums".With Covid striking, Gatland had an unsuccessful stint as Waikato Chiefs head coach before the Lions employed him for a third time for the Test series against South Africa in 2021, which the Springboks won returned to Chiefs as director of rugby before Wales came calling immediately changed the backroom staff by replacing former players Stephen Jones and Gethin Jenkins with Alex King and Mike Forshaw. No room for Gatland walked into a storm even before a ball was kicked. In January 2023, allegations surfaced in a BBC Wales Investigates programme of sexism and misogyny at the WRU, which ultimately led to Phillips' resignation and his £480,000 pay-off.A month later, the Wales squad threatened to strike for the Six Nations match against England in Cardiff because of disputes over player issue was resolved three days before the game but left a stain on the Welsh game, with captain Ken Owens warning the nation had become the "laughing stock of world rugby".It was later to emerge elements of Gatland's conduct during those tricky times had left some players - most notably fly-half Dan Biggar - managed one victory in the tournament, in Italy. In June that year, Gatland commented he might not have returned to the Wales job had he known the true scale of the problems facing Welsh rugby. 'Judge me on the World Cup' Gatland has always believed he can bring success when he spends time with players, which World Cup preparation naming a 54-man training squad, he had to cope with the international retirements of legends Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric, while Owens was unavailable because of man-management skills were under scrutiny as prop Rhys Carre was brutally released from the squad for "failing to meet individual performance targets".Intense training camps in Switzerland and Turkey appeared to have worked as Wales stormed to World Cup pool success, with victories against Fiji, Portugal, Australia and 40-6 hammering of Eddie Jones' Wallabies side in Lyon proved the undoubted highlight of Gatland's second spell in suffered quarter-final defeat against Argentina in Marseille. It was a match Gatland felt they should have won, but pride had been restored to Welsh is when history could have been different. With a new four-year World Cup cycle starting, Gatland and the WRU could have said their farewells after he had completed a short-term executive director of rugby Nigel Walker stated before the tournament in France he was backing Gatland to lead Wales to the 2027 World Cup, labelling him "one of the best coaches in the world".So Gatland stayed on, but some of his finest players did not. Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny retired from international rugby, Tomas Francis left Wales for a new life in France, Owens hung up his boots and George North quit the Test arena after the 2024 Six was left with an inexperienced squad and had to use young players, a situation that saw Wales slump to a first Six Nations wooden spoon in 21 says he offered to resign in the changing room following the defeat to Italy in March 2024 which condemned Wales to a clean sweep of Six Nations losses, but the offer was turned down by WRU chief executive Abi also made headlines again when he stated Welsh rugby sometimes felt like a "sinking ship". Annus horribilis A predictable summer loss to South Africa at Twickenham was followed by a 2-0 summer series defeat in took Wales to nine successive Test losses, but an opening autumn match against Fiji offered a chance to avoid a record-equalling 10th straight a 24-19 loss - Wales' first home defeat to Fiji in their history - changed the found himself under scrutiny like no other time during his coaching career. There was criticism from former players such as Mike Phillips, Tom Shanklin, Biggar and Jamie Roberts, also a WRU board member. Ex-Wales captain Gwyn Jones accused Gatland of having checked out of his focus intensified when Australia produced a record win in Cardiff to inflict that record 11th successive defeat. Gatland looked a broken man and stated he would leave his post if it was in the best interests of Welsh rugby. He stayed but an inevitable heavy loss against world champions South Africa followed to complete the worst statistical year in Welsh rugby said Gatland's position was "on the line" as an independent review into the miserable autumn campaign was testimony from players followed with criticism aimed at the coaching staff but Gatland was given the green light to continue for the 2025 Six depths were plumbed as his side suffered a record 43-0 loss to France to Paris in the opening game, the first time Wales had failed to score a point under came the limp performance in Rome in the 22-15 defeat to Italy. That was to prove the final curtain. Welsh rugby woes While Gatland did not have the same standard of players at his disposal in his second spell compared to his first, he was also unable to get the best out of the group in the last 12 selection was muddled, there was a coaching staleness and his style of play has not popularity has not waned too much among some fans, with his backers arguing nobody else could have achieved any cannot be blamed for all of Welsh rugby's has been no coherent strategy in place, with the WRU and four professional sides only very recently agreeing terms of a new deal.A new coach will inherit the same problems. There will be no quick fix for Gatland's successor, but a fresh face might lift the positive effect on Welsh rugby in that first stint should be applauded and remembered for the glory days he brought. His teams provided magical moments that will struggle to be topped. His original Wales legacy, though has been dented by his go back they say. If you do, know how long to go back for.
