So, while in New Zealand, the WRU talked to various leading figures about why the country produces so many quality coaches.
They then drew up a seven-point criteria in terms of what they were looking for from the next Wales boss.
Top of the list was winning, with selection, style, culture, environment and the ability to work together also featuring.
They then put together a list of around 12 potential candidates, from New Zealand and other countries. All agreed to meet up for a chat.
Pivac probably wasn't the No 1 target.
Ideally, the union wanted someone who had either won the PRO14, Champions Cup, Super Rugby or won at international level.
While Pivac had test experience with Fiji and won Provincial Championships with Auckland, he hadn't claimed a big trophy with the Scarlets.
But that was to change in 2017 as he guided the region to the PRO12 title in thrilling style.
At a stroke, he was elevated up the rankings and when it came to whittling the contenders down to a short-list of three, there he was, along with two fellow Kiwis - Glasgow coach Dave Rennie and Hurricanes boss Chris Boyd.
Three became two when it was revealed that Boyd was to take up the reins at Northampton from next season.
And it also became clear that the union was keen on making the announcement this summer.
Why so far in advance? Why not is the answer.
Chief executive Phillips is very hot on planning and to him it made absolute sense to give the next coach the maximum planning time.
There was also a feeling that they didn't want to leave it too close to the World Cup and find themselves in a bun fight.
They wanted to get in first and get who they wanted.
So, over the last few months, it's come down to decision time and the way Pivac drew yet more memorable performances out of the Scarlets last season can not have hindered his cause.
He enhanced his reputation still further by taking them to a Champions Cup semifinal, an outstanding achievement given their relatively limited resources.
And the way he has built such a tight-knit group, despite having originally come in as an outsider who knew no one, has not gone unnoticed.
He has bought into the Scarlets culture big time and the knowledge of Welsh rugby he has acquired over the past four years is invaluable.
The union also sought soundings from players who had worked under him in New Zealand and found they talked about in equally glowing terms as the likes of Graham Henry and Steve Hansen.
After taking all these factors into consideration, they decided Pivac was their man.
It's a deal the powers-that-be at the union are clearly very content with, having gone through the most robust of processes.