Twenty-five greats of the game whose careers spanned 3 centuries have been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in a ceremony at Wembley on Sunday at 18:00 SA Time (17:00 BST, 16:00 GMT)
Players from 7 different countries and a wide array of backgrounds were honoured at a special presentation in the Spirit of Rugby lounge at Wembley Stadium before the eagerly awaited Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool C match between New Zealand and Argentina.
From the pioneering 19th century Welsh tactician Gwyn Nichols to Rugby World Cup winners in Australian centre Tim Horan and South African scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen, the latest induction list reads like a ‘who’s who’ of rugby.
18 Captains of their countries are included. Irishman Fergus Slattery and Mervyn Davies are 2 of the names that ‘The voice of rugby’ Bill McLaren, the only non-international to feature in the latest Round of inductions, once reeled off in his unforgettable BBC commentaries.
Twice-capped coaching guru Carwyn James is 1 of 7 Welshmen to be inducted, while South Africa have 5 representatives. England, Ireland and Scotland have 3 apiece and 2 each from France and Australia make up the 25.
The inductees or family members of those who are deceased all received framed caps from World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset and chief executive Brett Gosper.
Lapasset said, “The World Rugby Hall of Fame recognises those who have made an indelible mark on our sport through feats on the field of play, displays of great character or through their tireless and inspirational work in driving forward our great game.
“The latest set of inductions includes some real legends, players who have helped to shape the image of rugby and inspire generations of fans. They are truly some of the biggest names in our sport over the past 100 years or so and all have contributed immensely to the enjoyment we have all felt watching top-level rugby over the decades. Each of these 25 inductees has made a positive impression on the sport that will last the test of time.”
Chris Rea and Pablo Mamone, who form the World Rugby Hall of Fame panel along with Henri Garcia, Nigel Starmer-Smith and secretary Chris Thau, were also in attendance.
The full list of inductees into the World Rugby Hall of Fame (in alphabetical order) is:
- Phil Bennett (Wales)
- Naas Botha (South Africa)
- Gordon Brown (Scotland)
- Marcel Communeau (France)
- Gerald Davies (Wales)
- Mervyn Davies (Wales)
- Danie Gerber (South Africa)
- Tim Horan (Australia)
- Andy Irvine (Scotland)
- Carwyn James (Wales)
- Barry John (Wales)
- Tom Kiernan (Ireland)
- Gwyn Nicholls (Wales)
- Basil Maclear (Ireland)
- Bill McLaren (Scotland)
- Edgar Mobbs (England)
- Hennie Muller (South Africa)
- Morné du Plessis (South Africa)
- Ronald Poulton-Palmer (England)
- Tom Richards (Australia)
- Jean-Pierre Rives (France)
- Fergus Slattery (Ireland)
- Wavell Wakefield (England)
- Joost van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
- John Lewis Williams (Wales)
For more information on the Hall of Fame visit, www.worldrugby.org/halloffame.
@ nortie:
Still ended below australia 3/4 times.
@ nortie:
Maybe the Lord is not on our side anymore.
The god that backed us more than anything the previous three years was thor. 😆
MacroPolo wrote:
Ha ha excellent
@ MacroPolo:
I’ll tell you one thing though, the only thing I find more surprising than our loss last week so far is seeing Pietman leading the SuperBru log
Sorry Pieta
@ nortie:
Lol yes pietman has also jumped ship 😆
On the bulls, pushing louis fouche to the bench will make a big difference. Have not really been able to follow the rugby, last week though showed 1-3 “fetchers” mean nothing and you need pilferers all around the park, while also needing “bruisers” from the loose forwards. Arno botha is slowing regaining form and confidence.
@ nortie:
Coming back to thor. Duane is going to make a big difference even though he is one of those so called “crocked boks”.
@ MacroPolo:
Let’s hope so, he did get MoM against the AB’s with broken ribs, so he should be good to go even if not 100%.
I’m more concerned about the lesser mortals still struggling with match fitness and injury
154 @ nortie:
Gee vir hom “die borrel” om in te p*s!
I want to know what he’s on…
@ BrumbiesBoy:
Ha ha, yes, I think GBS must start doing drug tests
@ nortie:
@ MacroPolo:
Julle laaities mag dalk nie so ver terug onthou nie, maar ek het die Superbru WC 2007 ook gewen, ek en Tony Moneo het gelykop bo-aan die log geeindig daai keer. So, dis bekende terrein vir my
Pietman wrote:
Fokkit Pietman, die huidige Bokke het ook WC 2007 gewen, net nie vir my vertel jy is so oud en gekrok soos die spul nie 😆
@ nortie:
Oud wel ja, maar net van die naeltjie af boontoe!
@ Pietman:
Ha ha
Solank jy nog kan mielies gooi is die saak reg.
nortie wrote:
Word on the street is that the Mexican Drug Cartels are after HM in a big way. They need to find out where he is getting his sh1t, because it is seriously affecting their business in a big way.
@ Just For Kicks:
Ha ha JFK.
164 @ Just For Kicks:
He’s got a Colombian connetion and a Transkei connection… and the mix of the 2 makes for a potent dubie!
Jean & Heyneke sample the stuff together!
grootblousmile wrote:
Looking at how gaunt Jean looked on Saturday, I am guessing he’s used as the guinea pig before the good stuff gets passed up the ladder!
167 @ Just For Kicks:
Yeah, he does look terrible… jeeez!
164 @ Just For Kicks:
166 @ grootblousmile:
167 @ Just For Kicks:
What are you two chuntering on about?
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