Former Wales rugby head coach Wayne Pivac is preparing to embark on a new coaching chapter, emerging from what he described as 'semi-retirement' to take charge of Italian United Rugby Championship (URC) side, Benetton. The 63-year-old Kiwi, who was announced as the club's new boss in March, is due to arrive in northern Italy next week to commence pre-season preparations with his new squad.
Pivac’s return to the northern hemisphere follows a period back in New Zealand, where he had been assisting a local club with coaching development and identifying young talent. He admitted to his agent that any new coaching role would need to be 'something special' to lure him back into the professional game, with the Benetton opportunity ultimately proving compelling enough after a series of virtual meetings.
His previous high-profile role saw him at the helm of the Welsh national team, taking over from Warren Gatland after the 2019 Rugby World Cup. During his three-year tenure, Pivac guided Wales to a Six Nations title in 2021 and achieved a historic victory against the Springboks in South Africa in 2022. However, his time as Wales coach concluded in November 2022 after a 13-12 home defeat to Georgia, a result that proved to be the defining moment leading to his replacement by Gatland.
In a significant move for his new coaching team, Pivac has brought in former Scarlets and Wales fly-half Rhys Patchell as his attack coach. Pivac expressed his confidence in Patchell, highlighting their successful working relationship during their time at Scarlets, where they secured the Pro12 championship in 2017. He believes the 30-year age gap between them will be mutually beneficial, with Patchell bringing fresh perspectives and Pivac offering seasoned experience.
This new appointment marks a notable return for Pivac to the demanding world of professional rugby, taking on a contract with Benetton until June 2028, with an option for two additional seasons. The club will be looking to Pivac's experience, which also includes a stint in Japan, to build on their performances in the URC and European competitions.
Source: Scrum V podcast