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Newcastle – Richie Gray, the Scottish-born coach helping to plot their downfall by South Africa in the World Cup at St James’ Park here on Saturday, promises no mix-ups in allegiance at the weekend.
“Look, I’m a Scotsman, a proud Scotsman,” the genial breakdown expert snapped up by Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer as a consultant in 2013, was quoted by www.bbc.co.uk as saying in a video interview this week.
“I’ve worked with most of the players that play there (Scotland) so that’s where you are ... but, and it’s a big but, in the world of professionalism I want my team (the Boks) to be the world’s best team.
“So that is a game you’ve got to win ... that’s it,” he added with a broad grin.
Gray (not to be confused with the lanky current Scottish Test lock of the same name) also earned a tribute in the feature from Chris Paterson, the long-serving utility back who earned 109 caps for Scotland until his retirement in 2011; he once played at club level under Gray’s leadership in Galashiels.
“For a big ugly second-row (forward) who played pretty close to the law he had a lot more technical and tactical understanding than people would imagine,” explains Paterson.
“He’s brought that, with a wonderful persona, into the coaching game ... he’ll be doing his best for the Springboks.”
*Follow our chief writer on Twitter: @RobHouwing. Rob is attending the Bok pool phase at RWC 2015 to provide news and analysis for Sport24 readers.
