NH International Rugby
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From Wales Online -
Wayne Pivac has been relieved of his Wales head coach duties and Warren Gatland is making a sensational long-term return to Welsh rugby.
A Welsh Rugby Union review into a dismal Test campaign has been carried out after Wales won just three out of 12 Tests this calendar year, with the WRU hierarchy deciding a changing of the guard was necessary nine months out from a Rugby World Cup.
In November alone, Pivac's Wales were hammered by New Zealand and threw away leads to implode in the closing quarter against both Australia and Georgia.
Gatland's return to Wales ends any speculation of him taking over from Eddie Jones at England, who have been holding their own review after a similarly dismal autumn.
WalesOnline understands Gatland has signed an initial two-year deal and could even stay longer in a director of rugby role.
Edit - confirmed - -
Gatland speaks on returning to Wales
“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.”
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Wayne Pivac's parting message as he leaves Wales 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.”
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Best we could hope for in the circumstances
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Tweet from
Jamie Roberts
@Jamiehuwroberts
Thought everyone hated Warrenball? 😂 -
Eddie must be bricking it following this news
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@Catogrande said in NH International Rugby:
Eddie must be bricking it following this news
Nah, he gets to return to Oz or back to Japan.
Musical chairs.
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@Machpants said in NH International Rugby:
Chiefs will be happy
It's not like he does much now anyway. Let Wales pick up the football.
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@Dan54 Both unions have come in for criticism for not managing the pennies well during Covid.
I think Wales will offer the job to Gatland and/or Howley.
Given the England review panel has on it Phil De Glanville, Ian McGeehan and Jonathan Webb (all connected to Bath Rugby which Bothwick came through), it looks like Steve Bothwick has the inside running to be England coach in 2023.
Yep, well it seems you right with Wales too mate. I just knew thet were struggling fairlt badly, so figured they would maybe not have cash to buy out contracts. Then of course they may not of had to anyway.
Interesting isn't it for all that Gatland who has no success at all with Chiefs is preferred choice, and proves point some very good coaches are better at different levels, as there is qyuite different skills required for each job. I hope it goes well anyway, as I always have a soft spot for Wales ,who after the Boks are probably my favourite team outside the ABs. Just because the country is like NZ and always embraced the game. -
Interesting isn't it for all that Gatland who has no success at all with Chiefs is preferred choice, and proves point some very good coaches are better at different levels, as there is qyuite different skills required for each job.
Starkly shown when Gats took over the Chiefs. Super Rugby is very different to the test game and he found that out fast.
Winning the game is the sole aim in tests. Managing a Super squad full of talented players all with desires to showcase their skills for higher honours is a different game.
Test rugby isn't so much a step up as a step into a different world. Many capable coaches can't find the formula for the players at their disposal to look good in tests. I guess that Gatland did with Warrenball. -
@Dan54 Both unions have come in for criticism for not managing the pennies well during Covid.
I think Wales will offer the job to Gatland and/or Howley.
Given the England review panel has on it Phil De Glanville, Ian McGeehan and Jonathan Webb (all connected to Bath Rugby which Bothwick came through), it looks like Steve Bothwick has the inside running to be England coach in 2023.
Yep, well it seems you right with Wales too mate. I just knew thet were struggling fairlt badly, so figured they would maybe not have cash to buy out contracts. Then of course they may not of had to anyway.
Interesting isn't it for all that Gatland who has no success at all with Chiefs is preferred choice, and proves point some very good coaches are better at different levels, as there is qyuite different skills required for each job. I hope it goes well anyway, as I always have a soft spot for Wales ,who after the Boks are probably my favourite team outside the ABs. Just because the country is like NZ and always embraced the game.Fozzie still searching for his one.
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@Dan54 Both unions have come in for criticism for not managing the pennies well during Covid.
I think Wales will offer the job to Gatland and/or Howley.
Given the England review panel has on it Phil De Glanville, Ian McGeehan and Jonathan Webb (all connected to Bath Rugby which Bothwick came through), it looks like Steve Bothwick has the inside running to be England coach in 2023.
Yep, well it seems you right with Wales too mate. I just knew thet were struggling fairlt badly, so figured they would maybe not have cash to buy out contracts. Then of course they may not of had to anyway.
Interesting isn't it for all that Gatland who has no success at all with Chiefs is preferred choice, and proves point some very good coaches are better at different levels, as there is qyuite different skills required for each job. I hope it goes well anyway, as I always have a soft spot for Wales ,who after the Boks are probably my favourite team outside the ABs. Just because the country is like NZ and always embraced the game.Fozzie still searching for his one.
Never too late for learnings
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heaps of social media chat Eddie will follow today.
crazy shit.
I find going back to Gatland hilarious for some reason
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@mariner4life said in NH International Rugby:
heaps of social media chat Eddie will follow today.
crazy shit.
I find going back to Gatland hilarious for some reason
Certainly a very odd thing to do and I’m not sure it’s the right decision. A lot is made of his success with Wales, which is undeniable but there was an alarming lack of consistency in there too. Champions one year and 5th the next sort of thing.
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i for one hope England follow this "lets go back to success" ex-girlfriend shit
i can't wait for Sir Clive to get the job.
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@Crucial said in NH International Rugby:
@Catogrande said in NH International Rugby:
Eddie must be bricking it following this news
Nah, he gets to return to Oz or back to Japan.
Musical chairs.
Hasn’t Eddie been linked to Rugby USA? I know they’re broke but Eddie will be flush from his severance won’t he?
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@mariner4life said in NH International Rugby:
i for one hope England follow this "lets go back to success" ex-girlfriend shit
i can't wait for Sir Clive to get the job.
Or even further back to when England didn’t need backs except to kick goals. 30 lineouts, 30 rolling mauls, 20 scrums with 40 resets, 1 try, 5 penalties and a droppie per game. Job done.
