'They want instant results': Wayne Pivac's former protege calls for patience as the new Wales head coach finds his feet
2020 has been a tough year for new coaches.
Following last year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan, seven of the world’s tier-one nations have parted ways with their head coaches. Just Argentina, England and Scotland have kept their top dogs in charge and, unsurprisingly, those three nations have all had reasonable success in the new year.
Argentina, of course, have just recorded their first-ever win over the All Blacks. England, meanwhile, were crowned Six Nations champions earlier this month while Scotland bested France – arguably the competition’s most impressive side – and came within a whisker of upsetting England and Ireland.
For the sides that are transitioning between coaching set-ups, the new season has been considerably tougher.
That’s been especially true for new Wales coach Wayne Pivac, who was appointed to the role following back-to-back finals appearances as head coach of Scarlets.
Wales’ fifth-place finish in the Six Nations was followed up by a disappointing showing against Ireland, leaving Pivac with two wins and six losses from eight matches in charge.
Former All Blacks hooker James Parson, who earned his first provincial selection under Pivac, is confident that the Kiwi can replicate his predecessor’s success – provided the team’s given time to adjust.
“If you look at the other teams that are doing quite well in international rugby, they’ve actually had consistency from the World Cup coaching group through to now,” Parsons said on the latest episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod. “I don’t think it’s panic stations, but I understand Wales as a nation… If you think [Kiwis are] rugby mad, they are rugby, rugby mad. They’ll live and breathe it more than Kiwis at some stages. They’ll be wanting instant results, just like our fans do as well. They want instant results, they don’t want two test losses.
“There’ll be a bit of pressure but knowing Wayne Pivac and the character he has and the experiences he’s had, he’ll draw on that and he’ll come out the other side, I have no doubt.
“I don’t know how he’s dealing with it, obviously, but I know he’s a fighter and he’s had a lot of experience with Fiji, Auckland, Harbour, a number of other teams. He’s had a lot of success in Wales with Scarlets and that’s how he got the job, through that success.”
Pivac has taken over from fellow Kiwi Warren Gatland, who coached the Welsh side for a record 12 years. Parsons suggested that any change in personnel might take time to bed in, but that will especially be the case when one man has been in charge for the same team for such an extended period.
“I just think it just needs time … If you see all the teams that have had change, it’s still going to take time. The Wallabies are still learning with [Dave] Rennie, that’s going to take time. Fozzie’s [Ian Foster] come in [to take over the All Blacks] with a new coaching group, that’s going to take time. Wales, on the back of a long tenure under Warren Gatland, have now got Wayne Pivac and he’ll have system changes – and that takes time for players to understand, buy into or be able to execute.”
Head coach Pivac has overseen just two victories – against Italy and the Barbarians – since he succeeded Warren Gatland last November.https://t.co/RYOzclxlnu
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 14, 2020
Parsons’ co-panellist, Sky Sports commentator Jeff McTainsh was reading from the same hymn sheet.
“It’s tough to go into a role, like Wayne, and try and get results in a place like Wales where the expectation is huge,” McTainsh said. “I just don’t think it’s possible. You have guys saying ‘Get Scott Robertson in there,’ or something like that … Just because you’re having success with one team, doesn’t mean it’s going to translate to success with another team.
“I just think it’s time and I think they just need to wait it out. I think we’ll see better results going forward for Wales, it’s just time in the saddle.”
Following their loss to Ireland, Wales will need to record wins over England and Georgia if they’re to have any hope of playing the Autumn Nations Cup final.
Listen to the latest episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod below:
Comments on RugbyPass
The shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
56 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to comments