RugbyRebels

pompey-zebra wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 12:06 pm Pivac's gone according to the fail, with Gatland taking over for a 2 year deal, with the option of more.

It's official. https://www.wru.wales/2022/12/gatland-returns/



Warren Gatland will return to Wales before Christmas to replace incumbent head coach Wayne Pivac.

Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) CEO Steve Phillips has confirmed Gatland will take charge of Wales for the 2023 Guinness Six Nations and at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, with the ability to go through the next World Cup cycle up to and including Australia 2027.

Wales’ most successful and longest serving coach is back to take over from fellow New Zealander Pivac, who has agreed to part company with the WRU after the official 2022 Autumn Nations Series review was completed and approved by the WRU Board.

“This is one of the toughest calls to make in sport, but the review process has reached its conclusion and we have acted quickly and efficiently in the very best interests of our national team,” said Phillips.

“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.”

Gatland leaves Super Rugby side the Chiefs to return, after formerly serving Wales over a 12-year period. He completed his first Six Nations clean sweep in his debut season with Cymru in 2008, before repeating the feat in 2012 and finishing on the same high to win the 2019 tournament.

“In Warren we are bringing in one of the very best coaches in the international game,” continued Phillips.

“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.

“We have been able to take swift action in difficult circumstances and that is testament to the good grace and professionalism of Wayne and the efficiency of our review process.”

Native New Zealander Gatland, who took charge of two successful British & Irish Lions tours during his time with Wales, was also in charge for three Rugby 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,” said Gatland

“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.

“Our immediate priority is obviously the 2023 Guinness Six Nations and next year’s Rugby World Cup.

“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.

“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 Warren Gatland to be released from his existing contract with immediate effect.

“Warren Gatland is Wales’ most successful coach, overseeing a period in which we won three Grand Slams and reached the very top of World Rugby’s rankings for the first time in the history of those records,” added recently appointed WRU chair Ieuan Evans

“We are delighted he has agreed to return to us. We will of course need to afford him time and ensure he has the tools at his disposal to rekindle the success he has achieved with Wales during his previous tenure, but we are all very excited about the future.

“I would like to add my sincere gratitude to Wayne. He has given much of himself over the last three years, including leading Wales to the Six Nations Championship title in 2021 and we are extremely grateful to him for his dedication to the role.”

Wayne Pivac said: “I am obviously extremely sad to stand down from the role.
“It was a speedy review process post-Autumn Nations Series as time is of the essence with the Six Nations fast approaching. Unfortunately, the results or performances this year were not all as we hoped. As a group we all take responsibility for that, but me in particular as head coach.

“We have played some really good rugby at times, but needed to do that more consistently. However, I know that there is a strong foundation for the squad to progress to great things in the future.

“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.”

And that's that.

He just couldn't continue although it's a big risk for Gatland and for us to take.

Wonder if we could stretch the budget and get Eddie Jones as a consultant for the next 12 months? He seems to do well in that role.

When Pivac started the job, the Scarlets were already creaking, and results had taken a dramatic downturn. I felt uneasy about it and my instincts proved to be right. Pivac strikes me as a very nice bloke, but without that indefinable quality that the best leaders have. Gatland has it. He may not be the best coach in the world, but he's a great leader. The WRU need to put the resources together to get the coaching team Warren needs. We can't afford to penny pinch.

Gatland has (quite sensibly) demanded input into a root and branch reform of the Welsh game as one of the terms of his return. Very sensible on his part and could be interesting to see what kind of form he sees the top-level of Welsh rugby taking. There's certainly few with his level of knowledge about the Welsh game and he does have the advantage of being both insider and having the breadth of experience and distance from being an outside at the same time.

Puja

Puja wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 1:39 pm Gatland has (quite sensibly) demanded input into a root and branch reform of the Welsh game as one of the terms of his return. Very sensible on his part and could be interesting to see what kind of form he sees the top-level of Welsh rugby taking. There's certainly few with his level of knowledge about the Welsh game and he does have the advantage of being both insider and having the breadth of experience and distance from being an outside at the same time.

Puja

It would make sense for Gatland, if he handed over as coach at any point, to be a Director of Rugby type figure at the WRU. He has no baggage from being from a particular region and knows Welsh rugby as well as anyone.

But for now, this is positive news. It will be interesting to see what the support team will be like. Jones worked with Gatland at the last RWC after Howley departed on short notice but will Gatland be able to make changes or is he stuck with that team?

UKHamlet wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 1:35 pm When Pivac got the job, the Scarlets were already creaking, and results had taken a dramatic downturn. I felt uneasy about it and my instincts proved to be right. Pivac strikes me as a very nice bloke, but without that indefinable quality that the best leaders have. Gatland has it. He may not be the best coach in the world, but he's a great leader. The WRU need to put the resources together to get the coaching team Warren needs. We can't afford to penny pinch.

Scarlets had a great season winning the league, but they were heavily reliant on a style of play that could be countered. A bit like Wales winning the Grand Slam in 2005. You could see that other teams would figure out how to combat that and began to do so.

But notwithstanding the style question, the collapse in morale is the most worrying thing. We used to be so hard to beat and we snatched a few victories at the death despite the odds. Yet we should have beaten both Georgia and Australia because we were hurting both. But when they put some pressure on us, we fell apart. That was the most concerning thing from my perspective and the first thing Gatland has to address. Sadly he has nothing before the Six Nations to work with so he will certainly be earning his money.

Sandydragon wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 12:46 pm
[Deleted]
Wonder if we could stretch the budget and get Eddie Jones as a consultant for the next 12 months? He seems to do well in that role.

Sold! (No returns)

Sandydragon wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 12:46 pm And that's that.

He just couldn't continue although it's a big risk for Gatland and for us to take.

Wonder if we could stretch the budget and get Eddie Jones as a consultant for the next 12 months? He seems to do well in that role.

Not sure if the RWC seedlings even allow for England to face Wales, but it would be so unbelievably funny if Eddie got ditched and ended up assisting Wales in knocking England out.

The Jones/Pivac sagas really have me wondering how much that initial burst of change and enthusiasm with a new coach is worth. Gatland might well have that effect again, as he did before and Jones did with England, but no idea how long either of them can continue having an impact.

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 3:50 pm

Sandydragon wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 12:46 pm And that's that.

He just couldn't continue although it's a big risk for Gatland and for us to take.

Wonder if we could stretch the budget and get Eddie Jones as a consultant for the next 12 months? He seems to do well in that role.

Not sure if the RWC seedlings even allow for England to face Wales, but it would be so unbelievably funny if Eddie got ditched and ended up assisting Wales in knocking England out.

The Jones/Pivac sagas really have me wondering how much that initial burst of change and enthusiasm with a new coach is worth. Gatland might well have that effect again, as he did before and Jones did with England, but no idea how long either of them can continue having an impact.

If either of our teams wins their group and the other comes second, then I do believe we will meet in the quarter finals.

This appointment is no quick fix, nor sticking plaster, it is part of our long term planning for the game in Wales.

No, no and no.

This is a very expensive sticking plaster for Welsh rugby. Going back to the coach of 3 years ago (minus his best assistant) is not a step forward.

Who knows if this will bring improvements? (Please god can we not see the return of Rob Howley?) We shall see if there are any signs of a new consistency in the 6Ns.

The only sliver of hope for a genuine step forward is that Gatland could pressure the WRU to reform. Although I think this is unlikely.

Sandydragon wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 2:28 pm But notwithstanding the style question, the collapse in morale is the most worrying thing. We used to be so hard to beat and we snatched a few victories at the death despite the odds. Yet we should have beaten both Georgia and Australia because we were hurting both. But when they put some pressure on us, we fell apart. That was the most concerning thing from my perspective and the first thing Gatland has to address. Sadly he has nothing before the Six Nations to work with so he will certainly be earning his money.

I agree with these comments. We have lost discipline and spirit. I don't know why, but it has to be fixed. We used be be more as a team than the sum of the parts, now we are less.

I don't want Eddie Jones anywhere near the Wales team, let him continue dragging England down.


.

Gatland’s first squad will be interesting. Hope he has more luck with injuries than Pivac did.

Wallpaperman wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 10:01 pm Gatland’s first squad will be interesting. Hope he has more luck with injuries than Pivac did.

He didnt seem to at world cups. The usual situation was:
1) go into RWC warm ups with a stable and settled squad
2) finish the warm ups with injuries to key players
3) form a squad of those key players still left plus the next in line
4) gradually lose players through injury as the tournament progresses.
5) play the last game with a mix and match of whoever's still standing.

If Pivac's random selection policy did anything it at least replicated the position we usually find ourselves in a world cup campaign!

Fair point, Wales always lose someone important in the warm ups. Anscombe was out for 2 years after the game v England and both Halfpenny and Webb were crocked in one game v Italy just before the 2015 World Cup.

I remember Henson getting injured in a 2011 warm up game but that meant that a partnership of Roberts and Davies played together, they weren’t too bad

Son of Mathonwy wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 4:32 pm

This appointment is no quick fix, nor sticking plaster, it is part of our long term planning for the game in Wales.

No, no and no.

This is a very expensive sticking plaster for Welsh rugby. Going back to the coach of 3 years ago (minus his best assistant) is not a step forward.

Who knows if this will bring improvements? (Please god can we not see the return of Rob Howley?) We shall see if there are any signs of a new consistency in the 6Ns.

The only sliver of hope for a genuine step forward is that Gatland could pressure the WRU to reform. Although I think this is unlikely.

I'd like to see Stan return to the fold. He had a great deal of success as stand in head coach when Gatland was away.

UKHamlet wrote: ↑Tue Dec 06, 2022 10:12 am

Son of Mathonwy wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 4:32 pm

This appointment is no quick fix, nor sticking plaster, it is part of our long term planning for the game in Wales.

No, no and no.

This is a very expensive sticking plaster for Welsh rugby. Going back to the coach of 3 years ago (minus his best assistant) is not a step forward.

Who knows if this will bring improvements? (Please god can we not see the return of Rob Howley?) We shall see if there are any signs of a new consistency in the 6Ns.

The only sliver of hope for a genuine step forward is that Gatland could pressure the WRU to reform. Although I think this is unlikely.

I'd like to see Stan return to the fold. He had a great deal of success as stand in head coach when Gatland was away.

That'd be a bit of a gamble....

(and in seriousness, he seems to have conquered some of his demons)

I suppose we're going to see how much influence Sean Edwards had over our previous success now.

Numbers wrote: ↑Tue Dec 06, 2022 12:20 pm I suppose we're going to see how much influence Sean Edwards had over our previous success now.

It was interesting to read a Sean Edwards quote where he said he would like to coach Wales at some time in the future. Perhaps Gatland’s successor?

Wallpaperman wrote: ↑Tue Dec 06, 2022 10:00 am Fair point, Wales always lose someone important in the warm ups. Anscombe was out for 2 years after the game v England and both Halfpenny and Webb were crocked in one game v Italy just before the 2015 World Cup.

I remember Henson getting injured in a 2011 warm up game but that meant that a partnership of Roberts and Davies played together, they weren’t too bad

Imagine if Henson hadn’t been injured, Priestland didn’t get injured and Warburton hadn’t got a red card. That was our closest shot at the RWC. Robert and Savies were a good combo but Henson could lift our team to another level, particularly with Priestland on his top form.

normanski wrote: ↑Tue Dec 06, 2022 6:39 pm

Numbers wrote: ↑Tue Dec 06, 2022 12:20 pm I suppose we're going to see how much influence Sean Edwards had over our previous success now.

It was interesting to read a Sean Edwards quote where he said he would like to coach Wales at some time in the future. Perhaps Gatland’s successor?

Liking that idea.

UKHamlet wrote: ↑Tue Dec 06, 2022 10:12 am

Son of Mathonwy wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 4:32 pm

This appointment is no quick fix, nor sticking plaster, it is part of our long term planning for the game in Wales.

No, no and no.

This is a very expensive sticking plaster for Welsh rugby. Going back to the coach of 3 years ago (minus his best assistant) is not a step forward.

Who knows if this will bring improvements? (Please god can we not see the return of Rob Howley?) We shall see if there are any signs of a new consistency in the 6Ns.

The only sliver of hope for a genuine step forward is that Gatland could pressure the WRU to reform. Although I think this is unlikely.

I'd like to see Stan return to the fold. He had a great deal of success as stand in head coach when Gatland was away.

He wasn't a very successful attack coach despite years with the team. Agreed, he was caretaker for possibly our best match of the professional era (ie the 30-3 win over England), but that was Howley the head coach not Howley the backs coach under Gatland.

Banquo wrote: ↑Tue Dec 06, 2022 10:14 am That'd be a bit of a gamble....

(and in seriousness, he seems to have conquered some of his demons)

His offenses were mad rather than truly bad.

.

Graigwen wrote: ↑Wed Dec 07, 2022 1:57 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Tue Dec 06, 2022 10:14 am That'd be a bit of a gamble....

(and in seriousness, he seems to have conquered some of his demons)

His offenses were mad rather than truly bad.

.

Yep but driven by some issues in his personal life as I understand it.

I wonder if we could tempt Mark Jones back to Wales?

Sandydragon wrote: ↑Wed Dec 07, 2022 4:46 pm I wonder if we could tempt Mark Jones back to Wales?

Mark Jones, Adam Jones and Steve Tandy would be nice to have back