Latest news with #WaynePivac
BBC News
23-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Jenkins 'had to think about' Wales coaching return
Gethin Jenkins says he took time to think before agreeing to take on the Wales defence coach role for a second had a full-time position in Wayne Pivac's coaching team between 2020 and he returns to the Test stage in a temporary capacity as part of the backroom staff of his Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt that travel to face Japan in a two-Test series in and Jenkins will adopt caretaker roles before returning to Cardiff as the search for the new permanent head coach continues."It was something I had to think about," said Jenkins."Matt asked me in Cardiff when we were walking for a coffee between sessions. "The people that were doing it was probably the main attraction, with him leading it." Pivac was replaced by Warren Gatland in December 2022, with Jenkins and attack coach Stephen Jones also departing and Mike Forshaw and Alex King coming and Jones were told of the decision a few days after Christmas by then Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Steve Phillips and performance director Nigel left his role in February 2025 while Phillips and Walker no longer work for Welsh rugby's governing body. Jenkins says he is looking forward to his short-term return."It's hard to turn down that opportunity," said Jenkins."It is five or six weeks where you put everything into it that you can, then go back to Cardiff and then it's business as usual."The only thing I'm giving up is my time off in the summer, but you're always thinking rugby anyway and I'm looking forward to it." Learning lessons Jenkins was appointed Cardiff defence coach in August 2023, marking his return to the club where he played for 13 former Wales prop says he has learned a lot in the time between his two international coaching spells as a result of working at Cardiff "under Matt and other coaches there"."Working week-in, week-out at club or region gives you more of a grounding," Jenkins said."Going straight into it at national level is tough. It was enjoyable because of the buzz of coaching your country, the pressure of international games - there is no bigger feeling. "I'm taking things on board all the time in how I progress myself as a coach. I'm seven years into my coaching career, which is still not a lot, so like to think I'm learning all the time."Wales are on a record 17-match international losing streak which has seen them slip to 12th in the world rankings, just one place above Japan."The message from the players is how much they want to win," said Jenkins."You can't hide from the stats but they want to put an end to that. "We're focusing on can we get them better and turn that into a performance that gives us a chance of winning the game?" Friends reunited Jenkins will link up with some familiar faces in the Wales coaching team having been a team-mate of Rhys Thomas, Leigh Halfpenny and Adam Jones. "I coached with Rhys Thomas for a while at Cardiff and know him well and I played with Adam and Leigh also," said Jenkins."I haven't coached with them but there's a few familiar faces in the coaching group. "I've worked with Danny [Wilson] as a player, but not as a coach, so it's good to know how he works on the other side of things."Jenkins has taken on the role Forshaw has adopted in the past two-and-a-half years. "I'm not starting from scratch, it's just about what tweaks I can make with the players," said Jenkins."The other thing is when they come back into Wales camp, they have been at four or five different clubs. Sometimes it is a reset anyway. "It's about getting them comfortable with the way I want them to defend. It's not easy for some of them because they might be used to defending in a different way. "When I worked it out, there were only six players I hadn't worked with before. Most of them know me, how I coach and what I want from them." Respect for Japan Japan coach Eddie Jones has warned Wales his side will aim to run the tourists off their feet in what will be stifling conditions."Watching Japan, that's the way they have played for a long time," said Jenkins. "They try to get quick ball and as fast rucks as possible. Their stats in that area are high, so we are aware of what's coming."It's my job to put things in place so we can slow up their ball and impose our defence."Jenkins was part of a Wales side who beat Japan 98-0 in 2004 - but says times have changed."Back then we would always play against Japan or Romania in the autumn and, no offence, you knew we'd score a lot of points," said Jenkins."Those days are long gone. Japan have shown in the last 10, 15 years they can compete with any team on their day. "We are well aware of that and at home how much pride they will have in trying to beat us."
Wales Online
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wayne Pivac's brilliant one-liner turned match on its head in 'best team talk ever'
Wayne Pivac's brilliant one-liner turned match on its head in 'best team talk ever' The New Zealander delivered a half-time team talk that got his side over the line One sentence from Wayne Pivac was enough to motivate his players (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Wales international Rhys Patchell has revealed a comical one-liner from Wayne Pivac inspired Scarlets to a famous victory. Patchell appeared as a guest on the latest episode of BBC Scrum V's The Warm Up alongside Lauren Jenkins, Ellis Jenkins and Alex Cuthbert. The 32-year-old rugby star spoke about Scarlets' famous semi-final win over Irish heavyweights Leinster in 2017. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Of course, that was the year the west Walians clinched the Pro12 title against Munster at the Aviva Stadium in a thrilling finale. However, prior to that, they had secured arguably an even more impressive win against the Dublin-based province. Facing Leinster in a decisive second half wasn't the only challenge for them, with winger Steff Evans being sent off for a tip-tackle before the break and leaving the Llanelli side to play the second half with one player fewer. However, this didn't dampen their spirits, as Patchell says. "The best thing that we did," began Patchell. "Was that Lewis Rawlins absolutely drilled Johnny Sexton in the first five minutes and after that, he was always getting rid of the ball early because he didn't want to come to the line, because Lewy hit him that hard. "We came in at half-time, didn't concede, managed the game to half-time, came in, Byron Hayward comes up with a plan. "Right, we're going to stick Cubby (James Davies) on the wing, on scrum defence, and otherwise, we're just going to have to work really hard in the backfields at all other times. "And Pivac's best-ever half-time team talk, the best half-time team talk ever.' "I know what's coming,' said Cuthbert. "Just before we walked out, he pops his head back around,' continues Patchell. "And goes: 'Lads, imagine the night out we're going to have if we win this way'. "We were right in the thick of Cubby's tours and the boys enjoying a beer together and the social aspect of it. "And out (in the) second half, got the job done and it was a pretty good night!" Scarlets would go on to win the match 27-15 thanks to tries from the dismissed Evans, Aaron Shingler and Gareth Davies, with Patchell and Liam Williams knocking over points form the tee. Article continues below Pivac's Scarlets defeated Munster 46-22 in the grand final in Dublin in a nine-try thriller. With Cardiff winning the Challenge Cup in 2018, Scarlets' league victory remains one of the last major trophies a Welsh region has won.
Wales Online
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
The Wayne Pivac interview: The man I think should coach Wales and the job I'd like in Welsh rugby
The Wayne Pivac interview: The man I think should coach Wales and the job I'd like in Welsh rugby Former Wales coach Wayne Pivac chats exclusively to WalesOnline Former Wales boss Wayne Pivac is on the lookout for a new job (Image: PA ) Wayne Pivac knows better than most how tough the Welsh rugby landscape can be. The 62-year-old led Wales to a Six Nations title in 2021 and a historic first win over South Africa on their own turf a year later. Yet, despite those highs, he was dismissed just months before the 2023 World Cup—his fate sealed after a shock home defeat to Georgia. Prior to his appointment as Wales coach Pivac was the second coming in the eyes of many Welsh rugby fans after leading the Scarlets to the PRO12 title and a Champions Cup semi-final in scintillating fashion. But the cracks had already begun appearing in Welsh rugby prior to his appointment as national coach. And if they were beginning to show when Pivac was in charge, by the time his predecessor Warren Gatland became his successor they had blown apart with a run of 17 straight defeats. Speaking from his home in Japan, where he recently decided to part ways with NEC Green Rockets, Pivac warns Welsh rugby it must change if it is to become a successful rugby nation again. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "I felt a little bit of frustration watching the team after I left, especially post the World Cup," Pivac tells WalesOnline. "I thought they did well in the World Cup but it was really after that, seeing the further decline, results-wise. "That was frustrating knowing what we were dealing with towards the end of my tenure there. To see more of the same and things get worse if anything it was frustrating. Article continues below "I think most people can now see it is not one person's fault or a couple of coaches. I arrived in Wales in 2014 and some of the same issues we were dealing with back then are still prevalent over a decade later." Pivac is in part referring to the state of the professional game below the national side. Wales' four professional clubs - Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets - have not tasted consistent success for a number of years, while there has never been full alignment with the WRU. Welsh rugby continues to shoot itself in the foot with both the Ospreys and Scarlets refusing to sign the new Professional Rugby Agreement as a result of the WRU's acquisition of Cardiff Rugby, throwing the game into despair to the point where a reduction of professional clubs is a very real possibility. "We need to look at the number of teams and what, from a high-performance perspective, is the best way to go," said Pivac. "This will upset a few people but I think we were very close to a structure which would have been great for Welsh rugby back in 2019. "That was going to be combining the Scarlets and the Ospreys along with creating a professional team in north Wales. If you looked at both those squads at the time we would have had a team very similar to Leinster. "It would have been full of Welsh internationals. Also, imagine putting together a coaching team which included the likes of myself, Stephen Jones and Steve Tandy. "It would have been a very strong coaching and playing group if we'd all come together. It was pretty exciting at the time, to be honest. "I also think starting a team in north Wales geographically would have worked a lot better. It came so close but fell over at the last hurdle. "Those sorts of discussions have been going on for a long time. When money slowly declines and is unavailable something has to give. I don't know how you can maintain the same number of professional players and see the standards drop and not make some changes. "From a national squad point of view, you want your players coming into camp off the back of doing well in the Champions Cup. Whether we go down to three teams or adopt a 2+2 funding model, something has got to change, in my opinion." One thing which will change over the next few months is the Wales coaching team with the WRU on the lookout for Gatland's long-term successor. Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt will lead Wales to Japan this summer with Danny Wilson (forwards), Adam Jones (scrum) and T. Rhys Thomas (skills) chosen as his assistants. As a previous head coach of Wales, and having been involved at regional level for a number of years, Pivac is the perfect man to give his view on what the WRU should do. "Straight off the bat I think Steve Tandy would be a great appointment," he said. "He's Welsh, he's coached regionally, he understands all of the issues Welsh coaches would be facing coming into the job, he has had international experience and done a very good job with Scotland. "I know when I was coaching Wales Steve was always good to catch up with. I think he'd do a very good job. "I think Stephen Jones would have to be invited back, if it was down to me, because I think he's got so much to offer. But whoever the head coach is, they'll put together their own team. "Matt Sherratt has done a good job and is doing a fantastic job with Cardiff. It would be hard not to find a position there if he wanted it. "I think there are some very capable people coaching in Wales and I think that's important to coach the Welsh team. "I think it was a no-brainer for Warren to keep Stephen on after I left, especially as he used him as his attack coach when Wales reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2019, after Rob (Howley) was relieved of his duties. He did a really good job there. "I was really surprised Warren didn't keep him on, so there'd be some continuity between two groups especially as he'd been away for a couple of years. That was surprising for me but I think he has a lot to offer. "I think Stephen has the ability, if he wants to go down that path in the future, to be a head coach. But he's done a good job in the past as an attack coach, he's done a great job with Moana Pasifika." Pivac has experienced the rough and the smooth as a coach but is an extremely experienced campaigner. After a two-year stint in Japan with NEC Green Rockets the former Auckland and Fiji coach is on the look out for a new challenge and wouldn't rule out a return to Wales. "I'm going to be really interested to see what the WRU do with the next coaching group," he said. "I've got an idea of what I think might happen but if some of the current crew who are going to Japan end up staying on, then you could probably see Cardiff looking for some new coaches. "Having lived in that area, that's something if it did come up I'd be interested in having a conversation around. You'll have some teams with a three-to-five-year development plan in place and they'll want somebody to head that. "Realistically at my age I'm not looking for three to five year contracts. "I'm probably more around the two-to-three-year contracts, where I can go in to help a club but not just helping achieve better results and developing rugby players but also the succession plan for coaching." The former Wales coach is now a free agent having departed NEC Green Rockets and is open to opportunities both in Japan and the northern hemisphere. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Pivac is hugely passionate about mentoring coaches and is adamant he could add great value as a director of rugby, helping progress the career of a young head coach. "It's something I've been talking about a lot behind the scenes with a few people at the moment," Pivac admitted. "Some people wouldn't want an ex-coach in there thinking they might want to take over one day and they could actually be an issue for you. "But if you get the right person who has been there and done it who also understands what it takes and what players need to focus on then they can be of great assistance as long as you've got a rapport with a head coach. "It's a bit like David Nucifora who used to be a head coach but he loves that role he's in now. That's a role I would really enjoy doing and for me it would be a good fit in Wales. "Having a person assisting the development of the game in Wales who has coached the national team and understands all the strengths and weaknesses of the union and what needs to be done to improve the game. "I want to develop young coaches so that's how I want to finish my coaching career. I want to help a team create a succession plan of coaching that can help young coaches and young players." Welsh rugby is at its lowest point since the game turned professional with Wales having lost 17 Test matches on the bounce - a record for a tier one nation. Wales travel to Japan this summer desperate to get back to winning ways. Pivac believes it will be a tough challenge for Wales but he does see some green shoots of encouragement. "The big thing that is going to confront the Welsh this summer is going to be the conditions," he said. "That's the first thing to get used to. "I'd be wrapping the boys up in rubbish bags underneath their jerseys to make them sweat a bit because it is going to be very hot over here. The humidity will also be up. "The Japanese like to play with speed. Generally speaking the games over here are usually high scoring. "There's a lot of ball movement and Eddie Jones watching them play against the All Blacks live earlier on in the year - even though they got beaten convincingly - they threw the ball around a lot. "They were also very quick on turnover transitions, so Wales will have to be on the money defensively." Having gone through some pain Pivac is confident Wales' young talent will begin to turn the corner over the next couple of seasons. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "If you look at Dewi Lake when he gets a season injury free he's going to be a quality international rugby player," he said. "When guys get 30 Test matches under their belt is when you start to build your career at international level. It's not in your first 10 to 15 caps you've got to get that experience under your belt. "There's a lot of guys now who are at that stage. I've been very impressed with Blair Murray who has scored a lot of tries and is an exciting rugby player. "There's some good young ones coming through. I like what they are doing at 10 with the likes of Ben Thomas. I think a guy in the team who can play 10 and 12 is very handy to have. Article continues below "There's some good quality young players coming through in Wales but it is really hard when a lot of those young players get thrust into international rugby at the same time. "We've had a turnover of some very experienced players and there's a lot of young guys in there at the moment but they will be much better for that experience." Wayne Pivac understands Welsh rugby's struggles, but his experience and coaching expertise mean he still has plenty to offer—whether in Wales or anywhere else looking to rebuild.
Wales Online
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wayne Pivac gone from coaching role as Wales star follows him out the door
Wayne Pivac gone from coaching role as Wales star follows him out the door Wayne Pivac and Rhys Patchell are on the move after missing out on promotion Former Wales coach Wayne Pivac has left Japanese club NEC Green Rockets (Image: PA ) Former Wales coach Wayne Pivac and outside-half Rhys Patchell have left Japanese club NEC Green Rockets. Pivac has been at the Green Rockets for the past couple of seasons but according to reports he has been deemed surplus to requirements, along with forwards coach Paul Feeney, after a difficult run of results. Former Wales outside-half Patchell is also set to leave the club after being named among 16 departures, but it is unclear where his next destination will be. Pivac did a sterling job with the Scarlets, winning the old PRO12 in 2017 and leading the Welsh club to a Champions Cup semi-final the following season. After succeeding Warren Gatland as Wales boss, Pivac won the Six Nations title and Triple Crown in 2021 but was sacked in 2022 after a series of bad defeats which included a home loss to Georgia. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. The 62-year-old is out of work again and it is unclear where his coaching career will lead him to next. Article continues below Patchell, who has won 22 caps for Wales, enjoyed a stint at New Zealand Super Rugby outfit the Highlanders before his move to Japan. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. The Fformer Cardiff and Scarlets playmaker still has plenty to offer the game and would be a stellar pick-up for one of Wales' professional clubs. Patchell is a triple-threat player with a tremendous passing and kicking game, while he is also a danger with ball in hand. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Speaking about his move to Japan on an episode of 'Jonathan' on S4C in March, Patchell spoke about his life in the Far East and admitted he missed Wales at times. "This might sound really deep now," he said. "But I didn't think 'hiraeth' was a real thing. Article continues below "I thought it was just this really wishy-washy thing that people spoke about which wasn't real. "When you reach the longest stint I've done out there, 10 or 12 weeks, by then I was ready to come home. "I wanted my fix of Wales."
South Wales Argus
23-04-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Ex-Welsh international Rhodri Jones signs new Dragons deal
Jones, who has won 24 caps for his country, joined the Dragons ahead of the 2022-2023 campaign and has become a key figure in the front row. The 33-year-old, who has also represented Llandovery, Carmarthen Quins, Scarlets and Ospreys, has so far made a total of 37 appearances for Dragons. Jones made 13 appearances in his first season with Dragons, earning a Wales call-up and three more caps under Wayne Pivac. He has played on both sides of the scrum and was an ever-present last season, making 19 appearances. 'It is great that Rhodri has decided to continue playing for Dragons RFC,' said forwards coach Sam Hobbs. 'As a Welsh international, he brings crucial experience to a young forward pack and has made a big impact in his first couple of seasons here with his work rate and set-piece experience before being unlucky with injury. 'We look forward to him finishing this season well and kicking on next season, competing with an exciting group of front rowers.' Jones is delighted to have agreed a new contract to stay at Rodney Parade. 'I've really enjoyed my time with Dragons and felt like I was playing my best rugby last season,' he said. 'This season I haven't been able to play as much as I would have liked due to injury but I'm looking forward to pushing hard towards the end of the season. "I'm excited to continue working with Filo [Tiatia] and the other coaches as we look ahead to next season.'
