World XV
| File:RugbyWorldXV.png | |
| Coach(es) |  Robbie Deans (March 2019) |
|---|---|
| Captain(s) | Andrew Ellis (March 2019) |
| First match | |
 South Africa 45-24 World XV(27 August 1977) | |
| Largest test win | |
 Japan 20–45 World XV(25 August 2015) | |
| Largest defeat | |
 Coronation Tongan XV 60-24 World XV(31 July 2008) | |
| Largest test defeat | |
 South Africa 46–10 World XV (11 July 2015) | |
A World XV is a rugby union team organised on an unofficial, ad hoc basis and typically composed of invited players from various countries. Several World XVs have been arranged by various bodies, often to take part in celebration and testimonial games, usually against national teams, but these are not considered test matches by most nations.
In 1977, 1974 British Lions tour to South Africa captain Willie John McBride led a newly established World XV against Morne du Plessis's Springboks to commemorate the opening of the Loftus Versfeld stadium.[1]
History
South Africa
South Africa first played a World XV in Pretoria on 27 August 1977. The World side included Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams, Willie John McBride, and Sandy Carmichael. A crowd of 65,000 watched as Morné du Plessis' South Africans led by 22–14 at half-time to eventually defeat the World XV by 45–24. During the match Argentinian flyhalf Hugo Porta came on as a replacement. Flank Theuns Stofberg added two tries to one each by Gerrie Germishuys, Hermanus Potgieter,[2] Dawie Snyman, and Barry Wolmarans (on debut) for the Springboks.[3] Four days later, the World XV played Western Province at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town. This time Porta started alongside Williams, McBride, and Carmichael, with Alan Sutherland facing off against Du Plessis. At 3.30pm coloured player Errol Tobias, representing the South African Federation, was on the reserve bench for the World XV, as he had been for the 2pm match between a Presidents' XV and Western Province B.[4]
In 1989 a World XV, sanctioned by the IRB and funded by South African Breweries, played two tests against South Africa in celebration of the centenary of the South African Rugby Board (SARB). The Springboks won both, by 20–19 at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town and the second by 22–16 on 2 September at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
In May and June 2006 a World XV, sponsored by South African company Steinhoff Holdings and coached by Bob Dwyer, played three games – against Saracens in London, then against South Africa at Ellis Park and Western Province XV at Newlands. The latter match was a testimonial for former South Africa captain Corné Krige, who led the Western Province side. In December 2006, again coached by Dwyer, a Steinhoff-backed World XV played a South Africa XV at Walkers Stadium in Leicester, losing 32–7. This game was to mark the centenary of South Africa's overseas tours.
In 2014, a World XV captained by Matt Giteau and coached by Nick Mallett played a South Africa XV, who won 45–24.[5]
Argentina
In 1980 and 1983, Argentina, played a World XV twice. The first match was played at Ferrocarril Oeste Stadium, Buenos Aires.[6] Argentina went into half time ahead by 16 points to nil and despite an excellent display in the second half by the World XV Argentina were able to secure a 36–22 win. The second match was played in Atlanta Stadium, Buenos Aires, where Argentina secured a second victory 28–20.
New Zealand
In 1992, a World XV played three matches against the All Blacks in New Zealand. The first encounter between the two sides ended in a 24–14 win for the World XV, the first time a World XV won against a national team. However, New Zealand won the second match 54–26, and the third match 26–15. The tour was to mark the centenary of the New Zealand Rugby Union in 1992.
Wales
In 2008, a World XV played a Wales XV side, which acted as a testimonial match for Welsh player Shane Williams. In total there were 19 tries scored in the match, which was played at the Millennium Stadium, with Williams scoring the match-winning try as Wales won 65–57. Later in 2008, a World XV played a Coronation Tongan XV side, in a game to celebrate the coronation of Tonga's King, George Tupou V. Tonga won the match 60–26, beating the Colin Charvis-captained side that included players from Australia, England, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa and Wales.[7]
Australia
In March 2019, a World XV captained by Andrew Ellis and coached by Robbie Deans played Western Force, who won 26–16 as the opener of the 2019 Global Rapid Rugby season in HBF Park, Perth.[8]
Matches
Squad for Western Force match 2019
World XV squad for their match against Western Force on 22 March 2019.[11]
- Head Coach –
Robbie Deans
Note: Italics denotes uncapped player(s) – Bold denotes player(s) that have represented a World XV in previous matches Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules.
Previous squads
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| Coach | |
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| Fullback(s) | |
| Coach | |
| Hooker(s) | |
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| Back row(s) | |
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| Fullback(s) | |
| Coach | |
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| Prop(s) | |
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| Coach | |
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| Prop(s) | |
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| Back row(s) | |
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| Centre(s) | |
| Winger(s) | |
| Fullback(s) | |
| Coach | |
| Hooker(s) | |
|---|---|
| Prop(s) | |
| Lock(s) | |
| Back row(s) | |
| Scrum half(s) | |
| Fly half(s) | |
| Centre(s) | |
| Winger(s) | |
| Fullback(s) | |
| Hooker(s) | |
|---|---|
| Prop(s) | |
| Lock(s) | |
| Back row(s) | |
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| Fullback(s) | |
| Coach | |
1977 World XV
Head Coach: 
Syd Millar
|
Starting XV
|
Replacements
|
References
- ^ Alasdair Fraser (6 June 2014). "Five facts about the World XV rugby team". The South African. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
- ^ Hermanus Potgieter Scores During the Match Between a World XV and South Africa, 27 August 1977. Accessed: 31 December 2012. YouTube link..
- ^ "World XV tour - Pretoria, 27 August 1977. South Africa (22) 45 - 24 (12) World XV (FT)". Retrieved 31 December 2012.
- ^ "1977 Western Province V World XV Rugby Programme". Archived from the original on 1 January 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
- ^ Springboks to open season against World XV - TVNZ, 8 April 2014
- ^ Scrum.com match summary for 1980 World XV vs Argentina
- ^ Tonga beat World XV
- ^ Nick Taylor (23 March 2019). "Western Force too good for Honey Badger, World XV". The West Australian. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
- ^ Springboks to open season against World XV - TVNZ, 8 April 2014
- ^ Nick Taylor (23 March 2019). "Western Force too good for Honey Badger, World XV". The West Australian. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
- ^ Reg Roberts (21 March 2019). "Rapid Rugby Showcase Preview: Western Force v a World XV". Green and Gold Rugby. Retrieved 29 March 2019.