Pivac has been getting to know his squad this week and claims his new coaching staff are getting the right reactions from his players ahead of this weekend’s fixture.
And the former Scarlets coach knows just how important this preparation time will be as he gears himself up for his first game in charge of the national side.
“We’re using this week as part of the preparations for the Six Nations, so for us it’s a bonus week,” Pivac said.
“We’re going to be really focused on getting as much as we can out of the game and out of the week, so that when we hit the ground running in week one of the Six Nations, we’ll be a week more advanced than where we would have been.
“Getting our hands on some of the players, putting some of the foundations in for the way we want to play the game moving forward. We’re putting out a side that is as strong as it can possibly be, the players are getting a great opportunity, I believe.
“The introductions are out of the way, we’re starting to learn more about each other, and some of the stuff that the coaches in various areas are putting in is getting a warm reception so [it’s a case of] so far, so good.
“Both teams want to get a result. I think the nature of rugby players at the professional level is that when you pitch yourself up against an opponent each week that you want to knock them over. We’ll be no different.”
Pivac has brought a number of fresh faces into his squad ahead of the Barbarians game, with Johnny McNicholl making his debut this weekend.
Dillon Lewis and Tomos Williams make a return to the fold also, and the new Wales boss is looking forward to seeing just what his players can do this Saturday.
Pivac added, “People like Dillon Lewis gets another go at tighthead, you’ve got Tomos Williams getting a start and Jarrod Evans back, with Johnny McNicholl on the wing.
“Adam Beard and Jake Ball together too – you’d normally be seeing Alun Wyn in that second row so I think it’s just about continuing the building of depth that Warren has been doing over the last few years.
“Hopefully Johnny McNicholl gets a bit of ball. We’ve got the roof closed so we should have good conditions and no excuse for us not to get into those wide channels when we get the opportunity, so I’d like to think that he’ll show everyone what he can do.
“He brings a lot of x-factor. He’s got a high work-rate and gets about the park, so it’ll be interesting to see how it goes in this particular match. We’re looking at players that can fit into the system and style that we want to play moving forward.”
Tickets for Saturday’s double-header at Principality Stadium are available here.
