Wayne Pivac Appointed Benetton Head Coach
Wayne Pivac, former head coach of Wales and Scarlets, has been appointed as the head coach of United Rugby Championship (URC) team Benetton for the upcoming season. The 63-year-old New Zealander has signed a contract with the Italian club that extends until June 2028, with an option to continue for an additional two years.
Coaching Career Highlights
Pivac led Wales to a historic milestone by securing their first-ever Test victory on South African soil against the Springboks. During his three-year tenure as Wales head coach, he guided the team to win the 2021 Six Nations Championship. However, his overall record with Wales was 13 wins from 34 matches, and he was succeeded by Warren Gatland in 2022. Prior to his role with Wales, Pivac spent three years coaching Fiji and also led Scarlets to the 2017 Pro12 title.
Comments on Joining Benetton
Reflecting on his decision to join Benetton, Pivac stated:
"I couldn't say no to the opportunity to coach Benetton after facing them in Treviso with the Scarlets."
"I enjoyed every trip: the matches, the stadium, the people and the Italian lifestyle. The challenge of taking the team to the next level and giving continuity to the work done by previous coaches is exciting."
Pivac most recently coached NEC Green Rockets in Japan's second tier before leaving the role last year.
Current Benetton Performance
Benetton currently sit 13th in the United Rugby Championship standings following their 15-15 draw against Dragons on 28 February.
