Hore heads ABs list in World XV
Andrew Hore has one more tangle with the Springboks ahead of him, leading a group of six former All Blacks named in a World XV to take on South Africa next month.
Former Boks coach Nick Mallett is in charge of the star- studded combination team, naming a vastly experienced squad of 23 players from New Zealand, France, Australia, Ireland, Samoa, Tonga, Georgia and South Africa which boasts 707 test caps between them.
The All Blacks may be worried about their hooking stocks with Hore’s retirement from test rugby, but he’s been persuaded to lace up his boots for this assignment in Cape Town on June 7.
Hore, prop Carl Hayman, halfback Jimmy Cowan, centre Rene Ranger and wings Sitiveni Sivivatu and Hosea Gear are the latest additions named by Mallett, totalling 244 caps for the All Blacks between them.
Cowan, Ranger, Hayman, Gear and Sivivatu face a busy – and lucrative – time. They have also been named by the British Barbarians to play against England at Twickenham on June 1.
The World XV match is being used by the Springboks to prepare for their two June tests against Wales and also to give the Boks added time together ahead of the Rugby Championship where they are desperate to take the title off Steve Hansen’s All Blacks.
Mallett is promising to give Springboks a tough challenge.
‘‘ I’m very happy that the final pieces of the jigsaw are now falling into place,’’ Mallett said as he confirmed his squad.
‘‘ The group of players who have been selected for this match are not only very experienced, but are all in very good form at the moment.
‘‘ Despite the very short preparation time, I’m really looking for-
the World XV squad to play South Africa, June 7, Cape Town:
Backs: James O’Connor ( London Irish, Australia – 44 test caps), Drew Mitchell ( Toulon, Australia 63), Hosea Gear ( Toulouse, New Zealand – 14), Sitiveni Sivivatu ( Clermont, New Zealand – 45), Aurelien Rougerie ( Clermont, France – 71), Rene Ranger ( Montpelier, New Zealand – 6), Matt Giteau ( Toulon, Australia – 92), Franc ¸ ois Trinh- Duc ( Montpelier, France – 48), Rory Kockott ( Castres, South Africa – uncapped), Jimmy Cowan ( Gloucester, New Zealand – 51).
Forwards: Steffon Armitage ( Toulon, England – 5 test caps), Alexandre Lapandry ( Clermont, France – 6), Roger Wilson ( Ulster, Ireland – 1), Mamuka Gorgodze ( Montpellier, Georgia – 51), Alistair Hargreaves ( Saracens, South Africa – 4), Joe Tekori ( Toulouse, Samoa – 26), Juandre ´ Kruger ( Racing Metro, South Africa – 17), Schalk Brits ( Saracens, South Africa – 5), Andrew Hore ( New Zealand – 83), Schalk Ferreira ( Toulouse, South Africa – uncapped), Sona Taumololo ( Perpignan, Tonga – 5), BJ Botha ( Munster, South Africa – 25), Carl Hayman ( Toulon, New Zealand – 45). ward to getting together with group of very talented players preparing them for this match.
‘‘ It promises to be a very exciting match, looking at the talent assembled in this strong squad. I’m sure they are all relishing the opportunity to play against the Springboks in South Africa.
‘‘ It’s also a rare chance to see a World XV- style team playing in South Africa.’’ this and