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New Zealand and Argentina rugby are in mourning. Alex ‘Grizz’ Wyllie past away on Saturday at the age of 80. He coached two countries at Rugby World Cups: New Zealand in 1991 and Argentina in 1999.
Wyllie coached New Zealand in 64 test matches from 1988 to 1991 and coached was assistant Pumas coach to José Luis Imhoff before becoming Head Coach ahead of Rugby World Cup 1999.
Under Wyllie, the All Blacks reached the Semi Finals of Rugby World Cup 1991. It was considered a disappointment as New Zealand, who won the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, fell to Australia in Dublin, Ireland to be eliminated.
Rugby World Cup 1999 saw Argentina making history. Wyllie coached the South Americans to a first-ever Quarter Final. It was monumental as Los Pumas were predominantly amateur players. Argentina claimed wins over Samoa, Japan and Ireland before being eliminated by France in Dublin, Ireland.
Wyllie was Head Coach of Los Pumas for only five matches. They were pivotal in the echoes of time. The five matches were those at Rugby World Cup 1999. It started with the tournament opener against Wales in Cardiff. The tournament’s leading scorer was Gonzalo Quesada who scored 102 of Argentina’s 137 points.
Scrum-half Agustín Pichot and winger Diego Albanese both scored two tries under Wyllie at Rugby World Cup 1999. Pichot went on to be one of Argentina’s greatest ever captains. Quesada now coaches Italy and thr then utility back, Felipe Contepomi now coaches Los Pumas.
