Dwyer aims to make history

Dwyer aims to make history

30 May 2006

The World XV squad that arrived in South Africa today aims to become the first of its kind to bash the Boks.

This will be only the third-ever tour to the country by a World XV in almost 30 years with previous combinations unable to register a win over South Africa.

“We have come here with victory in our sights,” said coach Bob Dwyer, who coached Australia to World Cup success in 1991. “But, it won’t be easy.”

“In recent seasons, under Jake White’s guidance, the Springboks have shown great character and have been difficult to beat. Despite a spate of injuries recently we expect the Springbok XV to be tough and resilient.

“It must be acknowledged though that we have an extremely experienced squad that boasts some of the world’s greatest players amongst its ranks. It will be an interesting contest,” Dwyer said.

The last time a World XV visited South Africa was in 1989. In two Tests, South Africa shaded the World XV – which included the likes of, Philippe Sella, Franck Mesnel, Pierre Berbizier, Peter Winterbottom, Mike Teague, Rod McCall, Jeff Probyn and Tom Lawto – 20-19 in Cape Town and 22-16 in Johannesburg.

The only previous encounter between a World XV and South Africa was in 1977 when the South Africans won 45-24 in Pretoria. The 1977 World XV featured, amongst others, Willie John McBride, Jean-Pierre Rives, Ian Kirkpatrick, Andy Haden, Gareth Edwards, Jean-Luc Averous and JPR Williams.

“These kinds of tours are very rare and we are going to appreciate every moment,” Dwyer said. “As a coach it is great to be able to work with players who are, or have at some stage been, the greatest in their respective positions”.

Dwyer will be assisted by former Welsh coach Mike Ruddock and Wasps forwards coach and former All Black Craig Dowd.

After the Ellis Park clash the World XV will travel to Cape Town for the Corne Krige testimonial match against a WP XV at Newlands on Friday 9 June.

“It is great to have a second match as it ensures that each player on tour gets onto the park. This is a vital part of tours like this and we are looking forward to a great clash with some of the great players who have worn the Western Province jumper in the past,” Dwyer said.

It was confirmed on Monday that Irish flyhalf David Humphreys and prop Peter Bracken were no longer able to tour with the World XV. They are replaced by Gloucester’s French flyhalf Ludovic Mercier and Brumbies lock Radike Samo.


20 Comments

  • 1.Drunkmonkey: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:31 pm

    no need to worry u just playing are 3d team

  • 2.Grrrr....I'm a Lion!: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:33 pm

    Zzzzzzz….

  • 3.rastafox: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:33 pm

    Samo just adds some fire to that second row and would combine brilliantly with Finegan if Dwyer was so inclined.

  • 4.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:51 pm

    Boks by 10

  • 5.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:52 pm

    100!

  • 6.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:52 pm

    Damn just missed it! :razz:

  • 7.Boylouw: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 15:00 pm

    10-1 odds we get outsmarted!

  • 8.Boylouw: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 15:01 pm

    World XV: 52 SA Muppits: 21

  • 9.wls: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 15:08 pm

    BoyLouw ill take you up on that
    Ill puit R1000.00 that we beat them,. You keen on that bet?
    So if we outsmart them i get R10000 ?
    let me know so we can make the deal.

  • 10.jondood: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 15:11 pm

    Boylouw

    Can you outsmart an bullet?

  • 11.Vundu: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 15:14 pm

    This World XV side is joke. Filled to brim with has-beens from 5 years ago, these dinosaurs are going to do nothing but make fools of themselves.

    It would be better if they were just hijacked and murdered – at least get a real South African cultural experience!

  • 12.Skim: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 15:21 pm

    Mark Robinson will be their best player once again. The same guys are picked for every damn representetive team – that’s what I call continuity!

  • 13.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 16:03 pm

    Vundu compare these has-beens to the Boks

    Roff v Snyman

    Burke v Monty

    Reihana v Gaffie

    Pretty nervous now eh?

    Cmon Boks!

  • 14.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 16:06 pm

    Oh yeah and forgot to add, your comments re: hijacking etc, adds to your dill factor!

  • 15.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 16:07 pm

    Vundu you a real plonker.

  • 16.Skim: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 16:09 pm

    We will win.

  • 17.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 16:23 pm

    The boks but just, lets see the notion of a champion team beating a team of champions.

  • 18.oxfordshark: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 20:11 pm

    Wonder if Bob will give me my £40 back for Sat’s ****** performance?

  • 19.wicked wugby wascal: Reply to this comment
    31 May 2006, 09:55 am

    The boks should do it – if they dont, then heaven help us against England later this year, because they killed this team…

  • 20.Daggles: Reply to this comment
    31 May 2006, 10:31 am

    Would love to have been at the 1977 world XV and springbok game….great players

    Boks by 20.

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