Sort order when changed with XML layout update

[judaschwartz]

The sort order on page load does not reflect the xml updates i have added on page load (when i use the toolbar to set the sort order it works)

    <reference name="search_result_list">
        <action method="setDefaultDirection"><dir>desc</dir></action>
        <action method="setDefaultOrder"><string>arrival_date</string></action>
    </reference>
    <reference name="product_list_toolbar">
        <action method="setDefaultDirection"><dir>desc</dir></action>
        <action method="setDefaultOrder"><string>arrival_date</string></action>
    </reference>

[jissereitsma]

Isn't this a duplicate of the other issues already discussing problems with sort orders?