Wales have made the decision to sack Wayne Pivac and re-appoint former British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland less than a year before the 2023 World Cup.
This comes after a poor year for Wales under Pivac, who won just three matches in 2022 and suffered historic losses to both Italy and Georgia. His final game in charge was the Test in which Wales surrendered a 34-13 lead in the final 20 minutes to lose 39-34 against Australia.
Gatland was also the subject of interest from the England RFU, with Eddie Jones under pressure ahead of a meeting with union CEO Bill Sweeney on Monday.
Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) CEO Steve Phillips confirmed that Gatland will take charge of Wales for the 2023 Six Nations and at next year’s World Cup in France, with the ability to go through the next World Cup cycle up to and including Australia 2027.
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“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.,” Phillips told the WRU’s official website.
“In Warren we are bringing in one of the very best coaches in the international game. We were sorry to see him go when he left and we are delighted that he has agreed to return.
“We know him well and, most importantly, he knows us well too. We are extremely excited about this latest chapter for Wales-and-Warren-Gatland and I know the feeling is mutual.
“He will undoubtedly be able to make an immediate impact, just as he did when he joined us for the first time in 2008. But 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.
“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.”
Gatland, who took charge of two successful B&I Lions tours during his time with Wales, was also in charge for three World Cups, reaching the semi-final stages on two occasions (2011 and 2019) and took Wales to the top of World Rugby’s rankings – for the first time – by virtue of a record 14-match unbeaten run during his final season.
“I’m very much looking forward to returning to coach Wales,” the New Zealander said.
“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.
“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.
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“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.”
The WRU and New Zealand Rugby have reached agreement for Gatland to be released from his existing contract at the Chiefs with immediate effect.
Pivac added: “I am obviously extremely sad to stand down from the role. I would like to thank the players, coaches, management and the WRU for their commitment, support and hard work in my time as head coach and to all the people in Wales for making me feel at home here over the past eight years.”
Part of Gatland’s long-term contract will reportedly require him to serve in a director of rugby role, with a full review of grassroots and professional rugby in Wales set to be conducted. WalesOnline reports that Gatland will replicate what Rassie Erasmus did with the Springboks and move upstairs after the World Cup, aiding the growth of younger, promising coaches.
Wales have also endured a horrid run in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship (formerly the PRO14), where none of their sides have featured in the playoffs since 2018.
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