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It could have been very different for Pivac had his time as Wales coach worked out, but he paid the price for losing at home to Georgia in November 2022.<\/p>\n
A stint in Japan followed<\/a> before he returned home to New Zealand where he admits his coaching career might have been over.<\/p>\n But the Benetton opportunity arose and the well-travelled Kiwi has found himself back in the northern hemisphere.<\/p>\n In the latest Scrum V podcast,<\/a> Pivac has explained his decision to prolong his career, recounted how his Wales career finished and outlined why Welsh rugby could have looked a lot different if the Ospreys and Scarlets had merged in 2019.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Pivac and Patchell prepare for life in Italy Wayne Pivac became the fourth New Zealander to coach Wales after Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Warren Gatland [Huw Evans Picture Agency]<\/p>\n Pivac has signed a contract as first-team head coach with the Italian club until June 2028, with the option of two further seasons.<\/p>\n “After Japan, we had come back to New Zealand with a view of just sort of semi-retiring,” said Pivac.<\/p>\n “I’ve been helping the local club with coaching coaches and doing recruiting out of the schools, identifying the young talents, which I’ve enjoyed doing.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n “I said to my agent it’d have to be something special and a few clubs popped up which weren’t of interest.<\/p>\n “Then the phone call came through that Benetton were interested in having a conversation.<\/p>\n “We did that quickly, one Zoom led to another, and before you know it, we decided to accept an offer, so that’s where we’re heading.”<\/p>\n Pivac has brought in former Scarlets and Wales fly-half Rhys Patchell<\/a> as his attack coach.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n “I know Rhys pretty well and he has got a fantastic work ethic,” said Pivac.<\/p>\n “We signed him from Cardiff and he was a big part of us winning the championship with the Scarlets in 2017 and that was a special time in Welsh regional rugby.<\/p>\n “He understood the way we wanted to play and was able to execute what we wanted on the field and in training.”<\/p>\n Pivac believes the duo will improve each other despite a 30-year age gap.<\/p>\n “He’s going to make a very good coach,” said Pivac. “I know the Benetton people are excited about the one and only signing I’ve done to date, which is Rhys.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n “I am looking forward to helping him kickstart his coaching career.<\/p>\n “For a young coach to be in with an older experienced coach, it’s a win-win.<\/p>\n “He’ll keep me young and hopefully I’ll help him in the trying moments to relax and enjoy it for what it is.”<\/p>\n What might have been for Wayne Pivac? Georgia players celebrate after a first win against Wales in November 2022 [Huw Evans Picture Agency]<\/p>\n After leading Scarlets to Pro12 success<\/a> in 2017, Pivac replaced Warren Gatland after the 2019 World Cup.<\/p>\n Pivac won the 2021 Six Nations during a three-year spell as Wales boss and became the first Welsh men’s coach to achieve a victory against the Springboks in South Africa in 2022 with victory in Bloemfontein.<\/a><\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Pivac was replaced by Gatland in 2022<\/a> having won 13 of 34 games with the 13-12 home defeat against Georgia in November 2022<\/a> proving the defining moment.<\/p>\n![\"Wayne](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/7f0d105c19d5c5b1358e9d44bff49e8f.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Georgia](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/49decc6dd51dfe531645d3955be34258.jpeg\"\/)
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