Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Six Nations: Wales coach Wayne Pivac enjoys 'special' Triple Crown day

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Saturday, 27 February 2021 12:55

Wales coach Wayne Pivac said he was proud of his players as they won their first silverware under him by beating England 40-24 to take the Triple Crown.

Wales followed up wins over Ireland and Scotland by scoring a record amount of points against England to move within two matches of a potential Grand Slam.

Controversy surrounded first-half tries from Josh Adams and Liam Williams, before Wales pulled clear late on after England rallied to level at 24-24.

"It was a special day," said Pivac.

"We talked about it being a special day for a lot of reasons - George North's 100th Test match, some silverware on the line and the opportunity to go deeper into the competition and push on.

"The weather was good and we went out there and got a bonus-point win. You have to be proud of the performance. It feels great, the players are feeling good about the performance.

"To get the bonus point at the end, we're happy. We're happy for the players because they've put in so much work and worked hard."

Pivac refused to be drawn into the controversy surrounding the tries scored by Adams and Williams, instead praising his players' contributions.

Adams' score was allowed after a quickly taken tap penalty kick from Dan Biggar, while Williams crossed despite suggestions of a Louis Rees-Zammit knock-on in the build-up.

"From a Welsh point of view, the cross-field kick was pinpoint," said Pivac.

"It was good skill. Josh Adams did his job by hanging out there to give us the option and I thought it was well taken once the referee said time on.

"If it was against us, we'd be having a little bit of a look at ourselves and why we didn't react quicker."

Pivac said it was surreal to pick up the Triple Crown trophy in front of no fans, with the stands empty as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

"The players were joking about doing a lap of honour for the fans at the end," he said. "I'm sure everybody in their homes will be celebrating that one."

Victory was vindication for the New Zealander, who suffered a disappointing first year in charge as Wales lost seven out of 10 games in 2020.

His side will win the Grand Slam if they beat Italy in Rome and France in Paris.

"It's very satisfying, but we've stayed focused on our jobs and what we're doing," he said.

"It's well-documented we chose to go down a bit of a development route in the autumn and build some depth in certain positions.

"It was a free hit from our point of view. Our board is across what we're doing and the public will get on board when we start getting results, we knew that.

"For me, it's about the players and providing them with an environment where they can come in and get the job done, keep improving.

"Hopefully we're doing that and people are seeing that the hard work is starting to pay off. But there are still two big games to go."

Wales visit Rome on 13 March and Paris seven days later, but Pivac says his team have their "feet on the ground".

"The players have talked about that in the changing room already," he said.

"The next game is the most important one because there's a chance it could undo all this good work.

"We'll be working hard, looking at the Italians and doing all of our usual reviewing of our performance and previewing them.

"Then we've got to make sure we put out a side that can not only get a good result, but give a good performance, which is ultimately what we're after."

Bristol outside-half Callum Sheedy impressed with a 13-point second-half haul after coming on as a replacement for Dan Biggar.

"I thought he was fantastic," added Pivac.

"After missing a couple of kicks up in Edinburgh, to come on in that situation, a very tight game, he had three difficult kicks and hit all three of them well.

"I'm just pleased for him. His general play was solid and all the boys coming on added something to the game.

"Callum's doing everything that we're asking of him and he's enjoying being in the environment, expressing himself and doing well, along with a lot of other players."

Watch Scrum V Six Nations, BBC Two Wales and online, Sunday, 28 February from 19:00 GMT and later on demand.

Read 235 times

Soccer

Injured Messi out for Miami's game at Orlando

Injured Messi out for Miami's game at Orlando

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLionel Messi will miss Inter Miami's match against Orlando City on...

Ten Hag: 'Example' Fernandes wanted at Man Utd

Ten Hag: 'Example' Fernandes wanted at Man Utd

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsErik ten Hag assured Bruno Fernandes that Manchester United want to...

Erik ten Hag had a rare good day as Man United beat Newcastle. Does it really matter?

Erik ten Hag had a rare good day as Man United beat Newcastle. Does it really matter?

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMANCHESTER, England -- Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag enjoy...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Celtics fend off Cavs, make third-straight ECF

Celtics fend off Cavs, make third-straight ECF

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBOSTON -- The Boston Celtics, behind 25 points, 10 rebounds and 9 a...

Follow live: Mavericks, Thunder head back to Oklahoma City for Game 5

Follow live: Mavericks, Thunder head back to Oklahoma City for Game 5

Jayson Tatum scores 25 to lead Celtics past Cavaliers 113-98 and into 3rd consecutive East finals Ja...

Baseball

Scherzer to 60-day IL; can't return until May 28

Scherzer to 60-day IL; can't return until May 28

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsARLINGTON, Texas -- Max Scherzer was transferred to the 60-day inju...

Rutschman walkoff saves O's streak of no sweeps

Rutschman walkoff saves O's streak of no sweeps

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBALTIMORE -- Adley Rutschman has still never been swept in the regu...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated