The 33-year-old Ospreys skipper will lead Wales into next month’s four match series against New Zealand, Argentina, Georgia and Australia as he looks forward to returning to the international stage for the first time since injuring his shoulder playing for the British & Irish Lions against Japan at Murrayfield last year.
“Justin is a very senior player, has captained the side before and we think he will command a starting position. He has got the respect of all the players in the squad, from the most senior player down to the most junior,” said Pivac.
“We also looked at the ability to communicate with referees and the influence he may or may not be able to have on a game. We think he ticks the boxes we needed to be ticked.
“He can play in all three back row positions, so we have multiple options within the group. Clearly when it comes to selection we are already talking around the likely and possible selection for New Zealand and Justin will be in the mix somewhere.
“He has, like a number of players, suffered a serious injury in the last 18 months and done exceptionally well to work hard to get back to this level of the game. I admire those players that get through those dark times and when they come out the other side, they are generally a lot stronger for it.
“He’s in a way fortunate he is at a stage in his career where he understands and knows these things can happen. He has probably had a few injuries before but that was probably a particularly nasty one – I’m just pleased to have him back available for Wales.”
Dewi Lake became the latest injury casualty at the weekend and has been replaced in the squad by Dragons hooker Bradley Roberts, but Pivac is hopeful that George North, Taulupe Faletau, Alex Cuthbert, Gareth Anscombe, Leigh Halfpenny and Josh Adams all come through their rehab programmes to be fit in time to be in contention to face the All Blacks.
“All of them, at this stage, are in consideration to play against the All Blacks. That’s the plan, and hopefully we’ll have them all up and running at the latest on Monday,” added Pivac.
“They’re all progressing. Gareth will be up and running today (Tuesday) and the others hopefully by the end of the week and ready for full training next week. That’s certainly what the medical team is working towards.
“It just means that this week we may have to bring in some extra players tomorrow to do our serious work and a double day. Wednesday and Friday, we’ll just have to work through that because the clubs are playing as well.”
You have to go back to 1953 for the last time Wales beat the New Zealanders and Pivac and his new skipper have two weeks to get their side ready for a shot at history.
“The All Blacks are up there as the best in the world and there is a bit of history between us and them. It’s not a bad way to start and we’ll soon be tested out,” said Tipuric.
“We also have to look at the bigger picture with the World Cup coming up. We want to build up some momentum going into that tournament.
Now back to full fitness after an injury sustained playing for the Lions against Japan last year, he never doubted he would return to action.
“I’m not going to say it was easy or hard to come back, it was just one of those things. I had good family and friends around me, and the medical team with the Ospreys were amazing,” added Tipuric.
“There were a couple of bumps on the road in my rehab, but that’s part of your rugby career. It was one of those where you have to toughen yourself up a bit.
“It was a bit of an unknown injury, with no theory or history about whether I could or couldn’t come back. There was a little bit of doubt, but nothing major.”
