'Pivac out' - how the blue ticks are reacting to the latest loss for under pressure Wales boss
Pivac out? What a difference a year makes. In 2019, for a time, Wales were ranked the number one rugby side in the world. Fast forward to 2020 and under the guidance of new head coach Wayne Pivac and Wales have won just a single game this calendar year against Italy, two since the New Zealander took over in November of 2019.
Now, after their latest insipid defeat, Wales are facing a must-win game against Georgia - a fixture that was previously considered a given has suddenly become significantly more daunting. The Tier 2 outfit shipped 40 points against England in Twickenham, but they will fancy a cut off Wales in Parc Y Scarlets next weekend, and Wales know it.
Social media hasn't been forgiving, or rather, it is losing its patience. Six consecutive losses will do that.
While typically the most fire is reserved for civilian accounts, it now seems rugby's blue tick brigade are starting to ask questions of Pivac's reign. Defence coach Byron Hayward fell, or was pushed, on his side following defeat to Ireland and more heads could yet roll. Could Pivac's?
"People forget that Wales didn’t play entertaining rugby under Gatland but they were bloody hard to beat, tough, defended abrasively and knew how to play to their strengths. They’ve lost what they were good at under Gatland and are looking for a new way of playing under Pivac," wrote Andy Goode.
London Welsh head coach Cai Griffith has been one of Pivac's most outspoken critics and the recently retired prop is calling for the Kiwi to be given the boot.
The comparisons to ill-fated Manchester United manager David Moyes continue to do the rounds. "Pivac after Gatland genuinely could be worse than Moyes after Ferguson. This is painful."
"Few rugby key board warriors out today. Just let the boys play, stop hammering them. Would love to see the guys slating them do a better job."
Phil Blanche summed up the situation, describing as an incredible fall from grace: "March 2019: Wales win Grand Slam.
"Nov 2020: Sam Warburton says a ‘W’ against Georgia is all that matters.
"That is one incredible fall from grace."
"That Wales 1-15 looks pretty decent on paper, but they're absolutely shredded of any confidence. Hardly laid a punch on Ireland, who weren't exactly sensational tonight."
It suddenly seems like a long road back for Pivac, and without the media's help, a lone win against Georgia might not cut it.
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Which is why more depth needs development. There are are several players waiting in the mix who will be good to great ABs. Our bench replacements this year were not always up to the mark
Go to commentshe should not be playing 12. He should be playing 10 and team managers should stop playing players out of position to accommodate libbok.
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