New Zealand’s Warren Gatland has been appointed as Wales coach to replace Wayne Pivac, particularly with two key 2023 deadlines in mind – the Six Nations and the World Cup – the Welsh Federation (WRU) announced on Monday.
The 59-year-old New Zealand coach led the Welsh from 2007 until the 2019 World Cup in Japan, where they reached the semi-finals.
Under his leadership, the Leek XV again reached the last four of the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand. The former Waikato hooker also led the Welsh to three Grand Slams in the Six Nations in 2008, 2012 and 2019.
Wayne Pivac, 60, who succeeded him in 2019, led Wales to another Six Nations victory in 2021, but without much convincing, despite the emergence of new talent in winger Louis Rees-Zammit.
Disappointing selection results during the last autumn tour, with three losses in four games, including a historic home defeat against a lowly team from Georgia (13-12), got the better of Pivac.
“It’s one of the hardest decisions in sportsWRU chief executive Steve Phillips said in a statement. Ultimately, we are in the results business and have agreed with Wayne that Wales’ current trajectory is not where we want it to be, and we sincerely thank him for his time, enthusiasm, his undoubted diligence and efforts as head coach over the past three years. : .“Before adding.With Warren we are recruiting one of the best coaches in world rugby.»
Gatland also led the British and Irish Lions on three tours: Australia in 2013, New Zealand in 2017 and South Africa in 2021.
Now he has to prepare for the next draw of the tournament, which the Welsh will start on February 4 against Ireland, and then the World Cup, which will take place in France from September 8 to October 28.
Source: Le Figaro
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