“I’m not one for a team of robots”
IT CAN be a tricky business, buying presents. What’s the perfect Christmas gift for your dad when he’s embarking on a new job? Matthew Pivac obviously felt a little advice from the predecessor would go down well. “He got me Warren Gatland’s book,” says new Wales coach Wayne Pivac with a wry smile. “That’s his sense of humour.”
There’s nothing like a reminder of the size of the shoes you’re filling as you prepare for your first Six Nations campaign. Pivac is all too aware of how successful Gatland’s 12-year Wales reign was – three Grand Slams the standout achievements – but he is also excited by the challenge of building on such successful foundations.
The 57-year-old has included a wealth of international experience in his back-room team, with four former Wales captains part of the set-up in Stephen Jones, Jonathan Humphreys (assistants), Sam Warburton (technical adviser) and Martyn Williams (manager). Yet he is missing key figures on the pitch – Gareth Anscombe, Jonathan Davies and Tomas Francis are just three of those unavailable for the championship due to injury.
“The fact it’s the No 1 sport here means you can affect the national psyche with your performance”
Still, this is a new World Cup cycle and Pivac has
