Pivac back at the helm in Auckland

The experienced Wayne Pivac has been named head coach of the Auckland National Provincial Championship team for the next two seasons, and will replace Mark Anscombe who held the position from 2009-2011.

This is not the first time Pivac has held this position, having coached Auckland first in 1999 through to 2003. Auckland won three national provincial titles during this period.

In fact, Pivac has been head coach of all three provincial teams in the Blues region – Auckland, North Harbour and Northland, and he will look to use all of his experience to take Auckland to greater heights.

Pivac's coaching history includes head coach of Fiji (Sevens and 15-a-side); head coach of Auckland and North Harbour (Sevens and 15-a-side); head coach of Northland; was named 2003 NZRU Rugby Union Coach of the Year (plus finalist on a further three occasions) and a number of other coaching positions in club and age group rugby.

Currently coach of the national provincial Sevens champions, Auckland, and Pakuranga Premier club side, Pivac is thrilled to have secured the role.

He commented: "Since 1996, I have been head coach of four very proud rugby unions. I understand the demands and expectations of the team by the people who support and finance them – the key thing is to make sure the players do.

Teaching them to reach their maximum potential on and off the field, and how to evolve with the constantly changing state of the game in the professional environment is paramount. It's a big challenge in front of me with tough criteria to meet and I'm looking forward to it," said Pivac.

Auckland Rugby Union CEO Andy Dalton said the change follows a robust review process of Auckland's recent performances and aligns with expansion and structural changes to the union's high performance academy.
 
He explained: "Our high performance academy has made extraordinary progress in the last couple of years with resounding success across all age-groups. Our rugby community expects that high standard of results to be reflected in our top team's performance and rightly so.

The selection panel and Auckland Rugby Board believe Wayne has the ability to deliver on the high expectations and targets set for Auckland over the next two seasons and will closely monitor that progress," he added.

An assistant coach is yet to be named.