Rugby: "Little time for feelings", Warren Gatland replaces Wayne Pivac at the head of Wales

The end of the slump?

The Welsh Federation tries, in any case, to restore color to a withered Leek XV with old recipes.

Tired of humiliations - resounding setbacks in Cardiff last March against Italy (22-21), which came out of 36 defeats in a row in the Six Nations Tournament, then in November against Georgia (13-12) -, the he institution has decided to dismiss coach Wayne Pivac (60), in office since 2020 and to replace him with his … predecessor and fellow New Zealander, Warren Gatland (59).

During his long stint at the head of Wales, from 2007 to 2019, the latter led his team to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2011 and 2019, and allowed them to win three Grand Slams (2008, 2012, 2019), offering a historic first place in the world rankings thanks to a series of 14 consecutive successes in 2019.

Will this change, nine months before the World Cup in France (September 8 - October 28), be enough?

Warren Gatland, who will be in office by Christmas after saying goodbye to the New Zealand Chiefs franchise (Super Rugby) which he had been at the head since 2020, takes over a failing selection.

“We are extremely enthusiastic about the idea of ​​this new chapter between Wales and him and I know that it is mutual, welcomed Steven Phillips, the general manager of the Welsh Federation (WRU) in a press release. .

He will undoubtedly be able to have an immediate impact as he did when he first joined us, but this appointment is not an emergency solution, nor a kind of band-aid: it is part of our plan. long-term.

Another shot at World Cup glory?🏉🏆

Gatland will take charge of next year's Six Nations and Rugby World Cup, and potentially the 2027 tournament.#BBCRugby

— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) December 5, 2022

Gatland, he was rather soothing.

“There is little time for feelings: professional sport is about preparation, values ​​and results.

There will be new challenges, as there always is with a change of head coach, but for me the environment, the players and their families will always come first,” he said.