PRAISE: Andy Marinos

IT'S the world champions against the Six Nations champions, it's the might of the South against the might of the North.

That is the mouth-watering way the two-Test series between South Africa and Wales in June is being described by the Springboks.

And it comes from an influential figure who has a foot in both camps - Andy Marinos, who spent seven years at Newport as a player and administrator, won 11 caps for Wales and is now in charge of all the South African squads.

He paid a flying visit here in February and was at the Millennium Stadium for Wales' game against Scotland.

"The way they played right through the Six Nations was wonderful and it's really good for world rugby that Wales have bounced back so strongly after the World Cup," said Marinos, who made over 120 appearances in the centre for Newport and the Dragons, captaining them in their first year, before becoming Dragons chief executive.

"Wales seemed a very happy, confident and competitive squad and the way they played was better than under Mike Ruddock in 2005 which was all about flair whereas there was a lot more grunt and physicality in the pack this time.

"The new coaching team of Warren Gatland, Shaun Edwards and Rob Howley along with the others have really brought a new edge, and the substitutions and tactical variations they brought in were just right.

"Warren brought on Stephen Jones and Dwayne Peel against Scotland which gave them momentum and then in the final game he started with James Hook who had been mesmeric.

"Wales' Grand Slam was fantastic for Northern Hemisphere rugby and as a Welshman I was ecstatic. I may have lived most of my life in South Africa, but I have a strong allegiance for the country I played for and it's very close to my heart.

"What a mouth-watering series it's going to be between the world champions and the Six Nations champions, the might of the North against the might of the South.

"And for Gatland as a Kiwi it's not unchartered territory for him in South Africa. We hope Wales bring their strongest squad because they will be full of confidence, they've got a lot of youth and some wise old heads.

"Martyn Williams has been one of the outstanding loose forwards in world rugby and Shane Williams, Stephen Jones and James Hook can all dictate and dominate a game."

Marinos denies there is any upheaval in South Africa rugby since the World Cup after the resignation of coach Jake White, the introduction of his successor Pieter de Villiers and the possible unavailability of a few players while he also dismisses the co-called quota system threat.

"We have got a new coach, but there is continuity with players and it will be great to build on what Jake White achieved in 2007 and give us momentum going into the Lions tour in 2009," he said.

"The media always speculate and blow things like the quota system up out of all proportions.

"There is a lot of anticipation surrounding the new coach, but I have known Pieter for 12 years.

"He will bring a lot to the table, he is innovative and he will be building off a solid platform.

"There has been a lot of speculation that South Africa are going through a period of transition with things like the presidential elections, but it's business as usual here.

"There is a very experienced squad with the same captain (John Smit) and the players are available so the new coach has got a lot of options."

Before returning to New Zealand for three weeks Gatland expressed some concern about the two Tests being played at altitude in Bloemfontein and Pretoria.

But Marinos said, "It's not that significant, it's all between the ears. It used to be a factor, but not with the conditioning of professional players."

He remains indebted to Wales for setting him on his current career path. "It was a unique time for me and it was the springboard of my career to get into administration," he admitted.

"I have said it in a lot of speeches here that I was astounded at how far behind in structure South Africa was. The regional set-ups and academies made me appreciate Welsh rugby was better and stronger.

"David Moffett laid good foundations and Roger Lewis has enhanced it. It's pleasing to see the Welsh teams doing so well in the European Cup, though unfortunately not the Dragons but they are competing at a higher level.

"It's all down to the hard decisions made which has enabled Welsh rugby to be more than competitive."

l Marinos says the South Africa v Wales Test series will be played under Northern Hemisphere rules which will please the Welsh camp after the current experimentation with new rules in the Super 14 competition which have changed the game.

10:17am Thursday 27th March 2008

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