Wayne Pivac knows full well whats at stake at this years 6 nations challenge.
After the disaster of 2020 effecting everyone it has been very challenging for all of us with Covid-19.
Wales only won 3 games out of 10, Italy twice and Georgia, being beaten by France, Ireland & England all twice plus a loss against Scotland leaving us fifth in the six nations, our worst six nations result in some THIRTEEN years.
| Six Nations 2021: Wales v Ireland |
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| Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Sunday, 7 February Kick-off: 15:00 GMT |
| Coverage: Live on BBC One, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC iPlayer & Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Sport website and app, S4C. Highlights, Scrum V, BBC Two Wales from 19:00 GMT on Sunday |
Pivac, who signed a 4 year contract when he took over from Warrn Gatland, will have to show the WRU and more importantly the Welsh people he has what it takes to lift our national side for the next 2 years before the 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign which is to be held in France.
Pivac is said to fully understand the microscope he is currently under from everyone as the whole country waits in anticipation for his promised ‘new style’ which has not yet seemed to have been implemented as the pressures of following after Gatlands positive 12 year reign.
“It’s still everything I was expecting,” Pivac told the BBC.
“I’m representing a group of people and a country that is proud of their national team and are very passionate and love the game, as we all do.
“We know exactly where we’re at. We don’t need to be told. We know the pressure’s building, if you like, in terms of expectations and results.
“Nobody puts more expectation on results than the group themselves, that’s what people need to understand.
“This is what we do for a living. Anybody can coach when you’re winning.
“The challenges are when you’re in situations where you haven’t done as well as you would have liked and hopefully this group is going to rise to that challenge.”
So what has he learned from 2020?
“The autumn series results weren’t around a lack of effort but we went in with a different philosophy for that,” Pivac added.
“On reflection we didn’t come out of lockdown well. We were behind the eight ball. We know that from the amount of testing we did.
“What we’ve done differently this time is we’ve focused more on getting our game in order rather than just getting the boys to a stage where they can compete over 80 minutes.
“Everybody’s rolled their sleeves up and done a good job.”
Pivac has insisted he is not surprised Wales have been written off in so many quarters, with Irish pundits like Stephen Ferris criticising the selection of Dan Lydiate and writing off the hosts’ general chances this weekend.
Wales and Ireland verbal spats are nothing new and Pivac understands critics of his side.
“If you look at what we did post-lockdown it wasn’t good and we weren’t happy where we were at,” said Pivac.
“We’re in a different space now. Judge this team after Sunday with the comments that have been made.”
Josh Adams suspension
First-choice wing Josh Adams has been suspended for two games because he had broken Covid-19 lockdown rules by attending a family gathering in another person’s home which came to a blow for Pivac and the team.
“It’s not what any team wants at the start of a Test week, but we’ve discussed it, put it to bed and now the players are focused on the game,” said Pivac to the BBC.
“Things like that can galvanise you as a group, but it’s the Six Nations start and the motivation is there.”
Pivac is banking on older heads after picking the most experienced starting side in Welsh history against Ireland, with 874 caps.
“It’s a lot of experience, isn’t it?” said Pivac.
“Hopefully that experience can tell on the opposition. The team has come together very well, players have come back in that have been out for a while like Ken Owens, Josh Navidi and Dan Lydiate. They have all put their hand up in training and worked hard. That’s rubbed off on everyone.”
