Who Will Replace Pivac as Scarlets Head Coach?

[bushytop]

So with the 2018/19 season being Pivac's last before taking over from Gatland as Wales Head Coach, who are the best options to manage the Scarlets for the 2019/20 season? A lot of people may want Stephen Jones but I feel sure he will be a vital part of Pivac's Welsh set up.

I know there was a lot of fallout after the dressing room revolt in 2006 but I think that this could be the right time and the right opportunity to bring Mike Ruddock back to Wales. He's done well wherever he has been, and although he is clearly content in Ireland I like to think there is an itch he can not scratch across the water.

Apart from that, Dave Rennie seems to have garnered some negativity from the fans at Glasgow so maybe he would be willing to relocate.

Scott Robertson is obviously doing a great job at Crusaders but not sure he would view the Scarlets role as the next logical step.

Think Richard Cockerill is doing a fantastic job at Edinburgh but he seems happy and not sure he could be lured away.

Heard people mention Easterby but there is no way he would leave the IRFU... even with his love for the region.

Also think Kieran Crowley has proven his ability with Benetton and could be an option.

Can't really think of anyone else, though sure there are a load of candidates. Either way, regardless of the budgetary constraints that seem par for the course in Welsh Regional rugby of late, it should be considered a pretty big job, particularly with the squad and development infrastructure there.

 

[bushytop]

Stuart Lancaster would be another great option but for his unwillingness to move out of Yorkshire (and the lack of an airport in Llanelli...

 

[bushytop]

So Wales Online (groan) has just put together a list of potentials:

1. Stephen Jones - if he isn't taken with Pivac I would agree he's the favourite.
2. Dwayne Peel - not sure that he has established his credentials to the required level as of yet.
3. Phil Davies - just no
4. Shawn Edwards - would love it if the WRU (& Pivac) could somehow convince him to stay with Wales but if not, the Scarlets head coaching role could actually be a good fit. Though I think he could be sick of Wales after 12 years.
5. Stuart Lancaster - seems unlikely when you consider his unwillingness to take over the Ospreys.
6. Simon Easterby - unlikely given his willingness to leave the region a few years back and would seem like a step backwards. Think he has his eye on the Ireland job post-Schmidt.
7. Filo Tiatia - quite like this option actually.
8. Tana Umaga - having watched the Blues over the last couple of seasons I would not rush to make this call.
9. Ronan O'Gara - think this is highly unlikely as 1. He must be having a great time with the Crusaders right now and 2. If he was going to come back to the NH it would probably not be in Wales... if you know what I mean!

I would also add Danny Wilson to the list of potentials, basically turned water into wine at the Blues and I would imagine he will want to return to club rugby after the RWC.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

10. Warren Gatland. You Welsh just can't get enough of him

 

[bushytop]

10. Warren Gatland. You Welsh just can't get enough of him

The Scarlets couldn't afford him, the RFU on the other hand...

 

[bushytop]

Further potential names that have been discussed/suggested around the web:

Paul Feeney - currently assistant coach in Super Rugby with the Stormers. Has links with Wayne Pivac having been his assistant coach for Fiji and Auckland, replacing him at Auckland when he left for the Scarlets in 2014. Just as likely that he could be brought in to Pivac's Wales set up though.

Tony Brown - currently having a difficult time assisting at the Sunwolves but is a good coach having worked at the Highlanders until last season. Has said he wants to return to the Highlanders eventually but if he can be swayed by the Sunwolves there is a possibility he could be lured to West Wales too.

Milton Haig - Successfully coached the Georgian national side to umpteen Rugby Europe Championships as well as having successful periods in charge of division 2 & 3 New Zealand club sides. Been with Georgia a long time and could be looking for a new challenge.

As it currently stands, if you take out any and all of the barriers that are naturally in place when trying to sign a successful coach, my personal top 3 out of the names I have mentioned on this thread would be:

1. Scott Robertson
2. Stuart Lancaster
3. Milton Haig

All of which would take some persuading I'm sure...

 

[Dai Yorkshire]

Tiatia, a wonderful player, if his coaching is as good then could be a possible, but I think he was coaching in Japan, so taking from there could be a problem.

 

[bushytop]

Tiatia, a wonderful player, if his coaching is as good then could be a possible, but I think he was coaching in Japan, so taking from there could be a problem.

Yeah I think I was just swayed by my love for the guy as a player and a gent... don't think he will be anywhere near consideration in reality, just WOL scraping around for names.

Any ideas on who would be a good fit?

 

[Dai Yorkshire]

Yeah I think I was just swayed by my love for the guy as a player and a gent... don't think he will be anywhere near consideration in reality, just WOL scraping around for names.

Any ideas on who would be a good fit?

You've said Ruddock would be a choice, I have to disagree, Dave Rennie would be a better choice ,But he was looking for an international side he's missed the welsh job so I cant honestly see him going to the scarlets, you've mentioned some very good candidates, but they all seem to be intrenched where they are, so it is a problem, Steven Jones will I believe go with Pivac so in reality we are looking at who is left at the scarlets that could do a job that is already there.

 

[bushytop]

You've said Ruddock would be a choice, I have to disagree, Dave Rennie would be a better choice ,But he was looking for an international side he's missed the welsh job so I cant honestly see him going to the scarlets, you've mentioned some very good candidates, but they all seem to be intrenched where they are, so it is a problem, Steven Jones will I believe go with Pivac so in reality we are looking at who is left at the scarlets that could do a job that is already there.

Although the Scarlets fanbase have a lot of respect for Byron Haywood and Ioan Cunningham I don't think they would be satisfied with either of those actually taking the helm. As you've said, most of the worthy candidates are already in positions in which they seem happy... but a year is a helluva long time in sports though.

In regards to Ruddock, yeah I do seem to be on my own with that one... maybe it is because I feel he would be an easy lure due to the current level of rugby he is coaching but that is probably more of a negative than a positive.

When the Scarlets actually do find their target (particularly if he ends up being a NZer), you would have to think that Pivac could be the ultimate salesman for the role.

 

[JOHNTYWYN]

It is an extravagant luxury having a full time coach. I would have thought Pivac and Stephen Jones could play dual roles for both Wales and the Scarlets. I have always been a firm believer that the team makes the coach, rather than a coach makes the team.

It amuses me when Neil Jenkins adopts the roll of water boy in Internationals and stands just feet away from the goal kicker. What can Jenkins teach to Leigh Halfpenny about goal kicking.

 

[bushytop]

It is an extravagant luxury having a full time coach. I would have thought Pivac and Stephen Jones could play dual roles for both Wales and the Scarlets. I have always been a firm believer that the team makes the coach, rather than a coach makes the team.

It amuses me when Neil Jenkins adopts the roll of water boy in Internationals and stands just feet away from the goal kicker. What can Jenkins teach to Leigh Halfpenny about goal kicking.

Real world or exercise... repeat real world or exercise?

 

[Amiga500]

It amuses me when Neil Jenkins adopts the roll of water boy in Internationals and stands just feet away from the goal kicker. What can Jenkins teach to Leigh Halfpenny about goal kicking.

Seriously?

You don't think when he deviates from their trained norm, Halfpenny isn't immediately getting told what Jenkins thinks of his kicking action? For those two, its not teaching him - its a trusted and informed observer giving immediate feedback that Halfpenny can act on during the match.

(Good) Kickers look at videos of themselves to see what they are doing wrong or inconsistently. That is also the job of the kicking coach. But obviously he cannot take 5 mins after a kick to study videos if he's getting a couple wrong.

 

[Thingimubob]

It is an extravagant luxury having a full time coach. I would have thought Pivac and Stephen Jones could play dual roles for both Wales and the Scarlets. I have always been a firm believer that the team makes the coach, rather than a coach makes the team.

It amuses me when Neil Jenkins adopts the roll of water boy in Internationals and stands just feet away from the goal kicker. What can Jenkins teach to Leigh Halfpenny about goal kicking.

Yeah god, what does Neil Jenkins know about kicking?!

 

[Abertawe Leinster]

You've said Ruddock would be a choice, I have to disagree, Dave Rennie would be a better choice ,But he was looking for an international side he's missed the welsh job so I cant honestly see him going to the scarlets, you've mentioned some very good candidates, but they all seem to be intrenched where they are, so it is a problem, Steven Jones will I believe go with Pivac so in reality we are looking at who is left at the scarlets that could do a job that is already there.

I think Ruddock could be good for the Scarlets TBH. That said, from what I found online, he seems to be coaching at a comparatively low level. If that information is out of date, I'll stand corrected.

Sean

 

[bushytop]

I think Ruddock could be good for the Scarlets TBH. That said, from what I found online, he seems to be coaching at a comparatively low level. If that information is out of date, I'll stand corrected.
Sean

Yeah he is coaching Lansdowne I believe, which is the level below Irish provincial rugby. He won the lot (4 trophies) last season and seems relatively content.

With the state of Welsh coaching (Welshman who coach) he is someone who should not simply be forgotten.

 

[bushytop]

So the news is out and Pivac's replacement will be Brad Mooar... as assistant coach to Scott Robertson these last three years he has been living and breathing in an environment of excellence. He also seems a bright chap too, being a solicitor and barrister to the New Zealand high court.

 

[dullonien]

Sounds like an excellent replacement for Pivac.

Appears that the Scarlets are the only region capable of 'searching the world' and not ending up with some unknown quantity with very little pedigree!

Very worried about the standard of coaching at the Dragons and Ospreys, and whilst I'll give Mulvihill the benefit of doubt for now, he needs to get the Blues playing more consistently, and soon!

 

[bushytop]

Sounds like an excellent replacement for Pivac.

Appears that the Scarlets are the only region capable of 'searching the world' and not ending up with some unknown quantity with very little pedigree!

Very worried about the standard of coaching at the Dragons and Ospreys, and whilst I'll give Mulvihill the benefit of doubt for now, he needs to get the Blues playing more consistently, and soon!

Agreed, it does look to be a great appointment... was a bit disheartened last week to see Rob Penny withdraw his candidacy but in the long run (with Mooar's age and him being on the upward part of his career trajectory) this could end up being an even better appointment.

 

[Dai Yorkshire]

I must be honest I've never heard of Brad Mooar, so will bow to the comments made here of his abilities. time will tell for sure