World XV

International rugby union team

A World XV (or World 15) 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 since the 1970s, often to take part in celebration and testimonial games, usually against national teams, but these are not considered test matches by most nations.

## Examples

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### Argentina

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In 1980 and 1983, Argentina played World XVs. The first match was played at Ferrocarril Oeste Stadium, Buenos Aires.[1] 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.

### Australia

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In March 2019, a World XV captained by Andrew Ellis and coached by Robbie Deans played the Western Force, who won 26–16 as the opener of the 2019 Global Rapid Rugby season in HBF Park, Perth.[2]

### France

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In March 2024 it was announced, that for the first time, France would played a World XV side in Bilbao at the San Mamés Stadium in June 2024.[3] The game was scheduled to be played in June 2024 with Ian Foster appointed as head coach, and players such as Owen Farrell, Camille Lopez, Maxime Machenaud, Semi Radradra, Billy Vunipola and Mako Vunipola all confirmed as players.[4] However, by May 2024, the game was cancelled due to logistical challenges in organising the game.[5]

### New Zealand

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Further information: NZRFU Centenary Matches

In 1992, the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks, played three matches against a World XV in New Zealand, to mark the centenary of the New Zealand Rugby Union. The first encounter ended in a 24–14 win for the World XV. New Zealand won the second match 54–26, and the third match 26–15.

### South Africa

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Further information: Rugby union and apartheid

South Africa played the first-ever World XV in Pretoria on 27 August 1977, to celebrate the opening of the Loftus Versfeld stadium.[6] The World side included Gareth Edwards, J. P. R. 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,[7] Dawie Snyman, and Barry Wolmarans (on debut) for the Springboks.[8] 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.[9]

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.[10]

### Tonga

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In 2008, a World XV played a Coronation Tongan XV side, in a game to celebrate the coronation of Tonga's King, [Kev O’Neill]. Tonga won the match 60–26, beating the Colin Charvis-captained side that included players from Australia, England, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa and Wales.[11]

### Wales

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In 2008, a Wales XV side played a World XV, as a testimonial match for Welsh player Shane Williams. 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.

## Team details

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World XV 2023 squad (vs Barbarians)

Hooker(s)|

* Fraser Brown
* Elliot Dee

Prop(s)|

* Allan Dell
* Wyn Jones
* Oli Kebble
* Marcus Street

Lock(s)|

* Niccolo Cannone
* Harry Hockings
* Api Ratuniyarawa

Back row(s)|

* Michele Lamaro (c)
* Viliame Mata
* Jordi Murphy
* Sebastian Negri

Scrum half(s)|

* Bryn Hall
* Nick Phipps

Fly half(s)|

* Adam Hastings
* Rhys Patchell

Centre(s)|

* Ngani Laumape
* Semi Radradra

Winger(s)|

* Israel Folau
* Sbu Nkosi
* Charles Piutau

Fullback(s)|

* Nehe Milner-Skudder

Coach|

Steve Hansen

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World XV– World XV 2018 squad (vs Japan)

Hooker(s)|

* Ricky Riccitelli
* Adriaan Strauss

Prop(s)|

* Ben Alexander
* Wyatt Crockett
* Corné Fourie
* Craig Millar
* Hencus van Wyk

Lock(s)|

* Sam Carter
* Ben Gunter
* Jason Jenkins

Back row(s)|

* Willie Britz
* Jackson Hemopo
* Dillon Hunt
* Leonardo Senatore
* Nili Latu

Scrum half(s)|

* Andrew Ellis (c)
* Augustine Pulu

Fly half(s)|

* Lionel Cronjé
* Santiago González Iglesias

Centre(s)|

* Keisuke Moriya
* Ma'a Nonu
* Harold Vorster

Winger(s)|

* Tevita Li
* Toni Pulu

Fullback(s)|

* Nehe Milner-Skudder

Coach|

Robbie Deans

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World XV– World XV 2017 squad (vs Japan)

Hooker(s)|

* Corey Flynn
* Adriaan Strauss

Prop(s)|

* Facundo Gigena
* JP Smith
* Greg Pleasants-Tate
* Ruan Smith
* Jacques van Rooyen

Lock(s)|

* Geoff Parling
* RG Snyman
* Sam Wykes

Back row(s)|

* Willie Britz
* Simone Favaro
* Ed Quirk
* Kwagga Smith

Scrum half(s)|

* Andrew Ellis (c)
* Nic Stirzaker

Fly half(s)|

* Berrick Barnes
* Takuya Yamasawa

Centre(s)|

* Richard Buckman
* Rohan Janse van Rensburg *
* Harold Vorster

Winger(s)|

* Vince Aso
* Vincent Clerc *
* Yoshikazu Fujita
* Digby Ioane

Fullback(s)|

* Ayumu Goromaru
* Melani Nanai *

Coach|

Robbie Deans

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World XV– World XV 2015 squad (vs South Africa, Japan)

Hooker(s)|

* Craig Burden
* Andrew Hore
* Tolu Latu
* David Roumieu

Prop(s)|

* Ben Alexander
* Petrus du Plessis
* Carl Hayman
* Benn Robinson
* Gurthrö Steenkamp
* Alexandre Menini

Lock(s)|

* Bakkies Botha (c)
* Luke Jones
* Flip van der Merwe
* Ali Williams

Back row(s)|

* Steffon Armitage
* Liam Gill
* Louis-Benoît Madaule
* Sean McMahon
* Pierre Spies
* Jordan Taufua
* Adam Thomson
* Luke Whitelock

Scrum half(s)|

* Luke Burgess
* Andrew Ellis
* Maxime Machenaud

Fly half(s)|

* Berrick Barnes
* Mike Harris
* Tom Taylor *

Centre(s)|

* JJ Engelbrecht
* Andrew Horrell
* Christian Lealiifano
* Maxime Mermoz
* Wynand Olivier *
* Ben Tapuai

Winger(s)|

* Nick Cummins
* Taqele Naiyaravoro
* Lachlan Turner
* Dom Shipperley
* David Smith
* Rudi Wulf

Fullback(s)|

* Delon Armitage
* James O'Connor

Coach|

Robbie Deans

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World XV– World XV 2014 squad (vs South Africa)

Hooker(s)|

* Schalk Brits *
* Craig Burden
* Andrew Hore

Prop(s)|

* BJ Botha *
* Pat Cilliers
* Schalk Ferreira
* Carl Hayman
* Sona Taumalolo

Lock(s)|

* Alistair Hargreaves
* Juandré Kruger
* Joe Tekori

Back row(s)|

* Steffon Armitage
* Mamuka Gorgodze
* Alexandre Lapandry
* Roger Wilson

Scrum half(s)|

* Jimmy Cowan
* Rory Kockott

Fly half(s)|

* Matt Giteau (c)
* François Trinh-Duc

Centre(s)|

* Wynand Olivier
* Rene Ranger
* Aurélien Rougerie *
* Benson Stanley

Winger(s)|

* Hosea Gear
* Drew Mitchell
* Sitiveni Sivivatu *

Fullback(s)|

* James O'Connor

Coach|

Nick Mallett

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World XV– World XV 2008 squad (vs Wales)

Hooker(s)|

* Mahonri Schwalger
* Ed Shervington

Prop(s)|

* Allan Jacobsen
* Deacon Manu
* Kevin Yates
* Justin Va'a

Lock(s)|

* Justin Harrison
* Opeta Palepoi
* Hale T-Pole

Back row(s)|

* Isaac Fe'aunati
* Marty Holah
* Maama Molitika
* Filo Tiatia

Scrum half(s)|

* Justin Marshall (c)
* Ryan Powell

Fly half(s)|

* Ceri Sweeney

Centre(s)|

* Paul Emerick
* Elvis Seveali'i
* Ollie Smith

Winger(s)|

* Lome Fa'atau
* Uche Odouza
* Freddie Tuilagi

Fullback(s)|

* Ben Foden

Coach|

Mike Ruddock

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World XV squad 1992

Forwards|

* Cécillon
* Coker
* Eales
* Fatialofa
* FitzSimons
* Kearns
* MacKinnon
* McKenzie
* Méndez
* Nasser
* Ofahengaue
* Perelini
* Roumat
* Schmidt
* Sole
* Whetton
* White

Backs|

* Botha
* Camberabero
* Claassens
* Farr-Jones (c)
* Guscott
* Hastings
* Hendriks
* Horan
* Joubert
* Knoetze
* Little
* Nicol
* Yoshida

Staff|

* Coaches: McGeechan · Templeton
* Manager: Lochore

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World XV– World XV 1980 squad (vs Argentina)

Hooker(s)|

* Jean-Louis Dupont

Prop(s)|

* Pierre-Édouard Detrez
* John Doubleday
* Robert Paparemborde

Lock(s)|

* Maurice Colclough
* Nicholas Martin
* Barry Ninnes

Back row(s)|

* Alastair MacGregor Martin
* Jean-Pierre Rives (c)
* John Scott

Scrum half(s)|

* Jacques Fouroux

Fly half(s)|

* Bernard Viviès

Centre(s)|

* Roland Bertranne
* Steve Fenwick
* Fernando Moscarda

Winger(s)|

* Roberto Canessa
* Bruce Gemmell
* Mike Slemen

Fullback(s)|

* Kevin O'Brien

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World XV– World XV 1977 squad (vs South Africa)

Hooker(s)|

* Tane Norton

Prop(s)|

* Billy Bush
* Gérard Cholley
* Alain Paco

Lock(s)|

* José Fernandez
* Andy Haden
* Willie John McBride (c)
* Pole Whiting

Back row(s)|

* Ian Kirkpatrick
* Jean-Pierre Rives
* Alan Sutherland

Scrum half(s)|

* Gareth Edwards
* Malcolm Young

Fly half(s)|

* Paul McLean
* Hugo Porta

Centre(s)|

* Bill Osborne
* Alejandro Travaglini

Winger(s)|

* Jean-Luc Averous
* Gerald Davies
* Mick Quinn

Fullback(s)|

* J. P. R. Williams

Coach|

Syd Millar

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Scrum.com match summary for 1980 World XV vs Argentina
2. ^ Taylor, Nick (23 March 2019). "Western Force too good for Honey Badger, World XV". The West Australian. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
3. ^ "Test-matchs - Un match XV de France - XV Mondial à Bilbao avant l'Argentine : le programme des Bleus cet été". 16 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
4. ^ Owen Farrell to play for World XV against France in Bilbao
5. ^ International - Official: the match between the XV of France and the world selection is cancelled
6. ^ Fraser, Alasdair (6 June 2014). "Five facts about the World XV rugby team". The South African. Archived from the original on 29 March 2019.
7. ^ Hermanus Potgieter Scores During the Match Between a World XV and South Africa, 27 August 1977. Accessed: 31 December 2012. YouTube link..
8. ^ "World XV tour - Pretoria, 27 August 1977. South Africa (22) 45 - 24 (12) World XV (FT)". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
9. ^ "1977 Western Province V World XV Rugby Programme". Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
10. ^ Springboks to open season against World XV \- TVNZ, 8 April 2014
11. ^ Tonga beat World XV

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Barbarian F.C.

Trophies|

* Killik Cup
* Old Mutual Wealth Cup

Related teams|

* Australian Barbarians
* Brussels Barbarians
* French Barbarians
* Fiji Barbarians
* New Zealand Barbarians
* South African Barbarians
* World XV

Matches|

| By opponent|

* Australia
* England
* Ireland
* New Zealand
* South Africa
* Scotland
* Wales

|

See also|

* New Zealand (1973)

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Tours|

* 1957
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008

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