All Blacks legend bemoans unnecessary match during Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour: ‘It’s too long’
Springboks Malcolm Marx and Siya Kolisi face the Haka and an inset of All Blacks legend Jeff Wilson.
Jeff Wilson believes that the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour would have been perfect if it were one week shorter.
A tourist in 1996 – the last time the All Blacks toured South Africa – Wilson has rued the inclusion of an additional Test match in Baltimore, USA.
The even number of Tests means that it is likely that the series could end in a stalemate and not provide an ‘ending to the story’, according to the legendary winger.
Dave Rennie’s charges kickstart their tour with a meeting with the Stormers in Cape Town before their other tour matches against the Sharks and Bulls, respectively.
The first Test match will take place at the iconic Ellis Park – the venue that hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup final between these two nations – before the All Blacks face the Lions in their last touring game.
One game too many
That is then followed by Tests at the FNB Stadium in Soweto and DHL Stadium in Cape Town before both teams board planes to Baltimore for the fourth and final series match.
If it were up to Wilson, that last fixture would not be taking place.
“For me, this is one week too long. We didn’t need the fourth Test,” he said on Sky Sport NZ’s Breakdown.
“I just feel as though this is for a different reason. The three-Test series in South Africa would have been perfect from my point of view. Absolutely perfect. You are guaranteed to get a result.
“I’d be surprised if there was a draw amongst those games, but I think it’s pretty important that you can find an ending to the story.”
The clash in the United States will help boost the interest in rugby ahead of the 2031 World Cup but is also viewed as an opportunity for both the All Blacks and Springboks to grow their brands in the market.
All Blacks coach reveals what he expects from URC opponents on Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour
While Wilson isn’t pleased that fixture has been included in the schedule, he is happy that the old-school format of a tour is still being conducted with the All Blacks tackling the United Rugby Championship teams.
“The touring aspect for me, I want to see Otago play someone, see Auckland play an international team – whether it’s the Blues or whatever,” he said. “We’ve seen what the Lions bring when they go on tour; they are special games.”
The 52-year-old played 60 Test matches for the All Blacks and in 11 uncapped fixtures for the team. Despite enjoying a hugely successful international career in the black jersey, one of his proudest moments came in an Otago jersey when South Africa were touring New Zealand back in 1994.
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
Proudest rugby moment
Wilson played a pivotal role in Otago’s historic victory, slotting five of his six shots at goal as the New Zealanders emerged as 19-12 victors.
“One of my proudest moments as a rugby player was when we won the ‘Springbok head’ when I was playing for Otago when South Africa toured here in 1994,” the former outside back said.
“The Carisbrook ground was flooded, but it was an unbelievable event, and that tour went on for four or five weeks, once again just what this All Black team is going through.
“For a player who didn’t get to play international rugby, that’s one of the highlights of their career; it was one great night in Dunedin, I can tell you that.”
