I like to compare all the talk of Pivac losing his job as Wales coach to how in hindsight people only talk about the sinking of the titanic (losing to Italy in Cardiff), everyone is quick to forget about the two weeks of luxurious cruising the passengers’ experience (winning the 2021 Six Nations title).
One year out from a World Cup would be a horrific time to change your head coach, but the way Wales are going under Wayne Pivac, particularly in this year’s Guinness Six Nations you really wouldn’t be surprised if he got the sack.
Following in the footsteps of Warren Gatland was always going to be hard, but it seemed that Pivac was the perfect fit to take over from his fellow Kiwi, having taken Scarlets to a Pro12 title in 2017.
With an underwhelming fifth in his first Six Nations campaign, they went on to win the title in his second season, which is regarded as the worst title-winning run with the opposition having 3 red cards in 5 matches aiding wales to some lucky wins against 14 men.
Under his stewardship, Wales have won only 11 out of 26 international test matches, with his latest result being the 22-21 loss to Italy in the Principality Stadium, Italy’s first win in Cardiff in their history.
With the 2023 Rugby World Cup being 18 months away, we are slap bang right in the middle of the four-year cycle, whilst now is probably the best time to be experimental with selection and tactics.
But the constant changes in Pivac’s matchday squad seems as if he doesn’t know what his best side is, or what type of game plan he wants to play.
Under Gatland and Shaun Edwards Wales had an identity, regarded as the best defensive side in the world, with a mix of hard work and a never say die attitude they would grind out victories with very little to no possession.
Meanwhile under Pivac Wale’s identity is unknown, the biggest worry for Wales is that they never look like they have a consistent attacking shape and a clear game plan that will get them over the goal line.
The biggest worry for Welsh fans watching is how ill-disciplined the team has become, watching the French team under Edward’s stewardship as defence coach must be an even more sickening sight to watch.
If Pivac walks away from the Wales job it wouldn’t be the first time he’s left his post at an international side in the wake of a World Cup, having left his job as Fiji head coach in January 2007.