2012 Classic: the good, bad and ugly

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 21:

1. Australia age well

Far be it from us to take anything away from Australia’s superb 15-5 win over South Africa in the final, but there were whispers that some of their players were a wee bit younger than your average Classic veterans team.

The Classic Springboks’ Percy Montgomery said afterwards the “young lads” were “too fast” for his team. There were no sour grapes – but if the fleet-footed Damon Murphy is 35 years old my name is Andrew Johns (who judging by his limp after the match, incidentally, is definitely now a veteran).

2. A bit of leg…

Speaking of Johns, the rugby league star – he is the David Beckham of Aussie rugby league – took to Front Street on Friday night in true Down Under style… in some seriously scruffy shorts! Now we’re not knocking that, especially here in Bermuda, but we thought a man of his calibre might have dressed up for the occasion. A class act, though, on and off the field.

3. Man mountain

From a distance Classic Lions’ Kris Chesney just looked a big rugby player. When I approached him for a quick post-match chat after their tough opening-win over Canada, he was doubled over, exhausted. Then he stood up! He gets the coveted ‘Makes-You-Feel-Like-A-Hobbit’ Award from this year’s event.

4. Monsoon season

When the heavens opened on Wednesday night, you could barely see the action out on the field. The pitch was quickly turned into a lagoon and if it had carried on at that intensity for much longer, a postponement was on the cards. But rugby is a sport that positively embraces the elements and the players got on with it, producing some fascinating rugby amid the deluge. The next proper downpour didn’t arrive until Saturday night, by which time players and fans were already drowned… in beer.

5. Controversy

This Rugby Classic had a controversial side to it, unfortunately. South Africa’s Robbie Kempson was arrested – but not charged – over an off-the-ball incident with USA’s Leif Gibson. It left Gibson in distress and in hospital with a serious back injury. He was rushed back to the States for further treatment and a likely operation. Word is he won’t play rugby again. Everyone wishes Gibson a speedy recovery.

6. France’s haircuts

Back on the subject of style, some of the French boys needed a bit of attention. A notable number of their forwards need to reacquaint themselves with some scissors. As far as intimidation goes, Les Bleus were more likely raise a chuckle than fear in their opponents. Not that I’d tell them that, mind you!

7. Harvey is still rapid

He scored the try of the tournament in 2009 — and almost did the same this time around. A spin, a twirl — in the blur of footwork no-one was totally sure what happened — and Harvey flew down the left wing against South Africa like a super-charged Roadrunner. Sadly for him the ball was nudged out of his hand just as was about to touch down. Most people get slower as they get older, except, it seems, motor legs Mike.

8. Family fun (not)

Most parents will have no doubt directed their children away from the pitch during one of the mid-evening intervals. The adults were left to witness a scantily-dressed young lady in policewoman fancy-dress costume launch herself at — and expertly tackle — a man dressed as a... let’s say, a certain part of the male anatomy. While everyone was busy thinking up accompanying jokes, the Italy side tried to sign her up!

9. Legend watch

Not all the big stars were on the pitch. Look hard enough and some of the biggest names ever to pick up an oval ball were on the sidelines. I’m talking mainly about the iconic figures of Welshman JPR Williams and Irishman Willie John McBride who hovered around the members’ tent for the week. Awe-inspiring.

10. Seconds out

The final word on a superb week’s entertainment belonged to South Africa winger Egon Seconds who couldn’t hide his disappointment that, after the final defeat, the tournament had finally come to a close. Seconds tweeted: “Thank you for all the support during this tournament! The boys are heartbroken! But we will be back, you can count on that. It’s been an amazing week and a half here. But time to go home. Will be back here next year and do it all over.”