Rugby: Andes survivors' Cup request

The survivors of the 1972 crash want their chance to play at next year's World Cup. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Survivors of the Andes plane disaster nearly 40 years ago want to play in next year's World Cup in New Zealand to commemorate the anniversary and their special rugby sporting bond.

Roberto Canessa, a survivor from the October 1972 crashed flight which was carrying the Old Christians Club from Uruguay to play the Old Grangonian Club in Chile, says they have petitioned the International and New Zealand Rugby Boards to play a curtain-raiser to the opening test between the All Blacks and Tonga at Eden Park next September.

So far no response.

However, former All Black loose forward Paul Henderson, who coaches a private club in Chile, believes a short match would be a great way to showcase rugby's camaraderie and has taken up the cause.

"I think it would be a marvellous way to honour the whole episode, those who died, the survivors and the game they play," he said.

"I know it's the IRB's tournament and they have rules but I think this would be a really cool way to add some extra flavour to the event."

Uruguay meet Romania in November with the winner to join Argentina, England, Scotland and Georgia in Pool B at next year's World Cup. Uruguay has played in the 1999 and 2003 events while Romania has competed at all six tournaments.

Canessa said: "We would like to suggest that a symbolic game of two periods of 10 minutes each be played. "We believe this idea to be an extraordinary occasion to convey to the world rugby audience our message of the spirit of rugby."

Canessa was one of two Uruguayan players who eventually left the plane wreckage and walked for 10 days and nights before bumping into a rancher high in the Andes.

The rescue mission started and eventually, 72 days after the crash, another 14 members of the Old Christian club were rescued.

A total of 29 club members perished in the crash or the vicious winter in the Andes but, two years after the accident, the two clubs met in what has become an annual fixture to commemorate the Andes miracle.

Now they'd like one more special moment to display their love of rugby.