Scarlets fans turn on Pivac after woeful season
After the Scarlets fell to a 34-32 loss to the Dragons at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, many fans have pinpointed where their season has gone wrong.
It was the first game that the Dragons have won away from home since March 2015, and was the final nail in the coffin for a Scarlets side that have been a far cry from the team that made the Pro14 final and Champions Cup semi-finals last season, as well as winning the Pro14 the season before.
Many Scarlets fans have blamed the announcement of Wayne Pivac as Wales’ new coach as the turning point in their fortunes, and the beginning of their decline.
The New Zealander was announced as Warren Gatland’s successor in the summer of 2018, leaving him in charge of the Scarlets for one more year before Gatland moves on after the World Cup. While it may have been in the interests of the Welsh Rugby Union to make this announcement early, Scarlets fans feel it has had a detrimental affect on their season.
Some feel that Pivac has note been solely devoted to the team this season, which is understandable as he will have one eye on the job ahead.
However, had he not already secured his next job, some Scarlets fans have even argued that he would be sacked come the end of the season, which leaves Wales to question whether they made the right decision with his appointment.
This is what the fans have said:
Amazing to think that if Pivac hadn’t been named Wales Coach he’d be looking for a new job on Monday. #ScarletsChallengeCup #JudgementDayVII
— Phil Grey (@Greyo1970) April 27, 2019
thats true !! @scarlets_rugby should have just said leave now when he signed for Wales !! head heart has never been in it this season
— Tomos Rhys Watson ??????? (@TRW91) April 27, 2019
Well pivac will be gone after 1 year with wales
— andrew pittham (@pitthams) April 27, 2019
The lack of intent and application should be surprising. The way standards have slipped meaning it isn't a surprise is all on the coaches.
— Gareth (@GarethJC10) April 27, 2019
Indeed, recruitment was dreadful last summer.
And I don't see much sign of that changing (though Louisi's signing is encouraging).
The announcement of Pivac getting the Wales job was a big distraction too.
But it still doesn't fully explain the decline in performance.— Mark (@mapw4774) April 28, 2019
It doesn't take a genius to work out what's happened does it, with most of the coaches leaving. Distractions, lack of focus, loss of the brand of brothers mentality, separation between Pivac and the squad, plus injuries killing us early on. There's no great mystery here.
— Chris (@Find_The_River) April 28, 2019
Should have axed Pivac back in October to save our season.
— B. Menyn (@Baramenyn) April 27, 2019
The Scarlets went in to decline as soon as it was announced that Pivac was leaving. The players seemed to loose their desire to preform when it counted. They now have one last chance to make the champions cup and start a new slate under Brad Mooar.This is a must win game #ymaohyd
— Mark?ChiMan (@MrMarkProbez) April 27, 2019
Sorry but really not sure about Pivac or that the announcement was made far to early. Can’t fault the WRU just not the right time
— Huw Conquer (@therealconks) April 27, 2019
The Scarlets have only won 10 games so far this season in the Pro14, to go alongside their one victory in the Champions Cup as well. They will now travel to the Ospreys in May to battle in a playoff for the remaining place in Europe’s elite competition. Judging by their current form, there is a likely possibility that Pivac will bow out ignominiously.
It is a shame to see the fans relationship with Pivac turn sour, but something was missing this past season, and many fans are rueing how his departure has been handled.
Comments on RugbyPass
There’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to comments