Pivac is fully aware he has big boots to fill as he will be replacing the longest serving and most successful head coach in the history of the Welsh game when his fellow-New Zealander steps down after next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan.
“It’s going to be fairly daunting early on, isn’t it? Warren is a world renowned coach, he’s got the runs on the board and he’s been successful at all levels of the game – so being a fellow Kiwi in the footsteps of Warren who followed on from Steve [Hansen] and Graham [Henry], it’s both a privilege and honour to be part of that,” he said.
Pivac, who coached Fiji at international level from 2004 to 2007, has been in charge at the Scarlets for the past four seasons, and offers a wide grin, before adding: “I would just like to point out that I am coming through the Welsh system as opposed to the guys who have come across from New Zealand – that is my point of difference I guess. It’s going to be a massive challenge and one in which I look forward to.”
Under Pivac the Scarlets have revived their fortunes, having won the Pro12 title in 2017 before being pipped by Leinster when defending their title this season with a refreshing brand of rugby. The Scarlets have been front and centre of his mind since his departure from his homeland, but when the WRU recruitment team of CEO Martyn Phillips and chairman Gareth Davies came calling, there was only ever going to be one answer.
“When I first came to Wales I was totally focused on doing a role with the Scarlets. I had a taste of international rugby with Fiji and thoroughly enjoyed that. I’ve really enjoyed the experience both in and out of the rugby environment in Wales. For me it was a no-brainer.
“It’s a huge honour and a privilege to be given the opportunity to coach Wales. I’d like to thank Gareth [Davies] and Martyn [Phillips] for the process we’ve gone through. I want to continue the strong work done by Warren. I’d like to think I’ll do everything I can to emulate some of the results they’ve got.
“I guess in coaching you know that if your team is doing well there’s always an opportunity to get to coach at the next level. Having previously coached Fiji I have had a taste of it and enjoyed it but the focus was to come here [to Wales] and do well with the Scarlets and see what happened from there.
“I’m coming up to my fifth year here and I feel part of the rugby fabric here, and if the opportunity came to do the national team I was always going to seriously look at it and that’s how it has turned out and I’m just thrilled to bits to get the opportunity.”
Since his arrival in west Wales, Pivac has been widely acclaimed as a breath of fresh air with Scarlets fans. While some coaches and players prefer to closet themselves away from their adoring supporters, the former policeman isn’t afraid to engage with the fans.
“After a win – and we’ve been very fortunate that we don’t lose very often – living locally has been quite good. Certainly after a loss people aren’t shy to come up to me at a service station or supermarket to pass on their thoughts or ask a few questions. I don’t mind that because it shows me how passionate they are about the team.
“I sort of enjoy that side of things because I’m passionate about what I do and they are passionate supporters so I guess I can see where they are coming from. I also think that by educating them and giving them a little bit of feedback, that goes a long way – if one person tells five or 10 others then all of a sudden you give yourself some breathing space.”
Pivac is determined to ensure whoever takes over from him at the Scarlets has the best start possible at Parc y Scarlets.
“It’s always a wrench when you have had success with a team. One thing you want is to make sure is that doesn’t change overnight. This whole process of being named 12 months early in terms of the Welsh appointment will enable the Scarlets to find the appropriate person to take my role and I will be involved in the process.”
Anyone watching the Scarlets will realise they play with a smile on their face and actually enjoy what they are doing and for Pivac, that is a crucial building block for any of his teams.
“For me it is about making sure it’s one of involvement,” he said. “I like to involve the coaching staff and management team and let the players have input – it’s very much considering everyone’s view really.
“And the way we play the game is one of enjoyment – everybody has the opportunity to run with the ball, tackle and do the different aspects of the game – and from my point of view it’s making sure we get the right people in the right places.
“We have a compatible group that loves coming to work so I guess a big part of my philosophy and role is to create an environment which enables everyone to do that.”
Pivac is full of praise of Gatland and knows he has a tough act to follow.
“From my point of view working and living in Wales and seeing myself as part of the Welsh rugby fabric, I think he has done very, very well. The results speak for themselves.
“He has had great success over a long period of time – I don’t know anyone else who has coached for that period of time and had that prolonged success.”
As Pivac endeavours to replicate Gatland’s success, he is hoping the experience he has already garnered with the Scarlets will stand him in good stead once he takes over from his countryman.
“There are learnings to be done every time you go into a new job. The advantage that I’ve had compared to maybe someone who may have been chosen outside of the country is learning what goes on at regional level.
“From the U20s and knowing how the system works to knowing who are the people that are going to get the job done. Knowing who are going to be there Monday to Friday 9 to 5, so to have a lead-in like that I think is great.
“In an ideal world, going forward, that is what it will be like for the next Wales coach after myself coming from within the system. That’s where we want to get to.”
