All Blacks to take on Americans as Classic starts

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8: Rugby players joined forces with a team of volunteers to ensure the Rugby Classic gets underway tonight.

Argentinean and Canadian players descended on the National Stadium at midday on Tuesday to help with heavy lifting and setting up tents.

Torrential rain and gale-force winds had torn down tents earlier in the week forcing organizers to postpone the start of the tournament.

But rugby fans and players came out in force this afternoon to set up hospitality tents and other amenities at the National Stadium.

Classic President John Kane said he had been bombarded with offers of assistance.

He told the Bermuda Sun: "It has really been a team effort.

“A huge number of people have come out in support to make sure the tournament gets under way on Tuesday evening.

“Even the players from Argentina and Canada have been out setting up chairs and tables.

“Obviously without their help and all of the volunteers it would have been very difficult to get everything together by Tuesday evening.”

The games have all had to be re-scheduled due to the bad weather.

The Lions and the Classic All Blacks are scheduled to get their campaigns underway in miserable conditions tonight.

On Wednesday, Argentina take on South Africa while the Australians meet the Canadians.

The two semi finals are due to take place on Friday, while the finals will be held on Saturday evening.

Chris Finsness, the grounds co-coordinator, said that the team of volunteers had got through a week's preparation work in just a day.

He added: “The turn out we had has been incredible.

“These people have been working in some pretty horrible conditions throughout the day but must have got through a week's work in less than 12 hours. It's been a huge effort.

“We had 25 Argentineans and pretty much the whole of the Canadian squad helping set up the tents and doing all the heavy lifting.

“It feels like everyone has really pulled together and there have been people calling up and asking what they can do to help.

“It really has been an epic operation to get the tournament up and running.

"Thanks to everyone's efforts the gates at the National Stadium will open at 5:30pm.”