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Wayne Pivac's trusted Wales defence coach Hayward sacked with 'immediate effect'


Wayne Pivac
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Wales defence coach Byron Hayward has left his role with ‘immediate effect’. The former Wales U20 and Scarlets coach joined head coach Wayne Pivac’s coaching team in 2019 but has left his role by mutual agreement ahead of the upcoming Autumn Nations Cup campaign.

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The WRU have said in a statement that the “existing experienced coaching team” will manage the defence for the Autumn Nations Cup. Wales head coach Wayne Pivac said: “I would like to thank Byron for all his hard work with Wales and thank him for his honesty in recent meetings.

“I have worked alongside Byron for six and a half years, he is a dedicated coach that has had great success in his career.

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Pivac reacts to Wales’ loss:

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Pivac reacts to Wales’ loss:

“On reflection of the last campaign it was mutually decided that the best way forward for Wales and for Byron is for him to step down from his role.

“I, on behalf of the squad and management, would like to wish Byron all the best for the future.

“In the short-term, for the upcoming four matches, the existing coaching team will manage the defence based on the foundations already put in place. We will then look to replace Byron on a full-time basis with an announcement in due course.”

Hayward said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Wales and it was an honour to coach my country.

“As I have always said from day one, the team comes first and upon reflection of the last campaign with Wayne we felt it was best for me to step aside.

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“When I took the role last year I wouldn’t have planned to be leaving as the squad prepare to start the new international season, I believe it is the right decision for myself and the squad as they enter a new campaign.

“I would like to wish Wayne and the squad all the best going forward and I will be fully supporting them.”

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NoLongerARuck 51 minutes ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

The Six Nations produced so many compelling games and so much of action packed moments that you can only conclude that its the best international comp out there at the moment except for a world cup. If Wales improve it will be even better especially given the strides Italy have made in recent times. The Rugby Championship is now taking a hiatus in a year it really should be building toward something better which is terrible considering the competition was so tight last year. The Nations Champs promises much but one gets the feeling that the 6 Nations teams will not be at their peak given its at the end of their long season. In terms of rugby quality and entertainment Id rather watch the 6 Nations over everything else other than a world cup right now. The North arguably offers more in terms of entertainment than the South at club level as well. The Prem, the Champs Cup, URC and Top 14 all feature plenty of scoring and different playing styles while Super Rugby seems to be the same thing game in game out. While the South tries to speed up the game artificially with new trials and law variations the North has shown you can do it with good refereeing which penalises cynical play harshly and encourages positive actions on the field. In terms of entertainment the North wins. In terms of winning? They are making strides but until they win another world cup or get a team to rank number 1 again for an extended time again they cant really say they are better than the South.

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