McBryde will assist head coach Warren Gatland on what will be a tour like no other this summer with the pair used to working together after 11 trophy-laden years with Wales.
Gatland and McBryde’s penultimate game with Wales was the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final loss to South Africa who then went on to hammer England to lift the William Webb Ellis Cup.
“South Africa haven’t played since then because of Covid-19. The World Cup was the last time the England boys faced them too,” McBryde, now with Leinster, said.
“You’re going to carry that hurt and use those experiences as well. I think it’ll still be fresh in the memory and be interesting.
“There will be a certain amount of retribution or whatever you want to call it and I think it will still be burning inside some people.
“South Africa’s threat is mauling, their set-piece obviously, and they drove well against us in the World Cup semi-final. They have physicality, but also good variety to their game as they showed in the final.
“The scrum played a dominant part there. The way they managed their squad at that World Cup has been well mentioned in terms of having six forwards and they’ve got real strength in depth.
“It’s going to be a big challenge. It’s something I’m really looking forward to because you want to test yourself against the best pack in world rugby. They’re world champions.”
Robin McBryde talks to the media after his Lions appointment was confirmed. Credit: INPHO
You’re going to carry that hurt and use those experiences as well. I think it’ll still be fresh in the memory and be interesting
South Africa this summer will be McBryde’s first Lions tour as a coach after he was called up to the 2001 trip to Australia as a player.
McBryde’s fellow Welshmen Steve Tandy and Neil Jenkins, plus Scotland boss Gregor Townsend, will also head to the southern hemisphere.
McBryde remains committed to Leinster until the end of the season with a Heineken Champions Cup semi-final with La Rochelle to come.
But he believes that while the Lions will undoubtedly have to front up to South Africa, just matching their physicality won’t be enough for Test success.
“I think it’s about footwork, being smart, and having variety in attack,” sad the former hooker.
“Of course, it’s about meeting them head-on on occasions, but we can do that on our terms. It’s about being intelligent. We can’t just go into their physicality and expect to dominate.
“You’re going to need a certain amount of size, but it’s not going to rule out players who are explosive and a bit different. What has been highlighted is the need for good people on the tour.
“Warren has been on many tours, so has Neil. They’re speaking from experience and you need people who are 100 per cent behind the team irrespective of whether they’re selected.
“With Covid-19, we’re going to be spending a lot of time in close proximity in our own little bubble.
“As well as the physical and performance side of things, you need good people around you and that’s another thing to consider. We can’t underestimate the value of that.
“There are a lot of things to throw in the mix with selection and we need to get the blend right.”
Robin McBryde in his time coaching Wales, for whom he worked from 2006 to 2019
