'I love the game'

There were just one question on everyone’s lips at the end of opening day of this year’s Classic — who was America’s number 11?

The skull-capped speed merchant had stolen the show with a searing break from inside his own half in which he scorched past his opposite number and left several sprawling Springbok tacklers in his wake before touching down underneath the sticks.

Just a few minutes earlier the U.S. winger had brought the crowd to their feet by unceremoniously dumping the same Springbok on his back and ripping the ball from him in one smooth motion just yards from his own line.

This superb piece of defensive play was followed by fist pumping and American football style celebrations.

Sure the Boks went on to thump the States convincingly.

And, of course, the experience of the South African outfit paid dividends.

But who was number 11 and just how fast could be run?

The answer is Mike Harvey — a Texan father-of-two who grew up dreaming of playing for the Dallas Cowboys. He turned to rugby by chance when a career in American football “just did not work out”.

And 10.27 seconds — that’s how fast he used to run the 100 metres.

Harvey was born in Waco and was a standout defensive back for his college American football team.

In 1997 he headed north from New Mexico State College to pursue a professional career with the Calgary Stampeders.

“It just did not work out for me,” he candidly admits.

“I guess I was a bit shorter than most of the players and not as big as the rest of the guys. I had the speed — but at 22 I realised my dreams of playing for the Dallas Cowboys were not going to come true.”

He returned to college and was driving past a field when he noticed a bunch of guys throwing around an oval shaped ball.

He said: “I pulled the car over and went to ask them what they were doing.

“They said they were playing rugby and I asked to join in.

“It all started from then.

“I loved the game — the camaraderie and the friendships that come with rugby and the respect players have for each other.”

Harvey joined the college rugby team and when he left with a degree in Business Computer Systems he joined the Dallas Harlequins.

At the age of 25 he moved clubs to the Fort Worth Longhorns where he stayed for six years winning the National Championship.

He went on to win a dozen international caps for the Eagles’ seven team — his pinnacle coming when he played in the 2006 Hong Kong Sevens tournament.

Hong Kong Sevens

He said: “It was just an incredible experience.

“We got hit for a few points but running on to the pitch with 40,000 rugby fans cheering for you is something I will never forget.”

Harvey retired from the game the same year — and although he still kept in shape and played the odd game — he did not don his rugby boots again until earlier this year.

He played in the Aspen Rugby Festival, a selection tournament for the Classic, and picked up the Most Valuable Player award.

“I had wanted to play in Bermuda for the previous two years but work and family commitments had not allowed it,” he said.

“But this year I was able to take some time off work and came to the tournament straight from a conference.

“I have loved it and would love to come again next year with my family.”

And as for his heroics on the pitch on Sunday — he is typically modest.

“I have got a lot of respect for the South Africans — they are a professional bunch of guys and deserved the win.

“I was pretty pumped up after that tackle though — I was surprised he tried to go around me.

“I was thinking ‘no way are you going around me — that’s my corner’ and I managed to take him down.”

And the try?

“Yeah that was pretty special.

“I just remember looking my opposite man in the eyes and saying to myself ‘this is how you take someone on the outside’.

“I could hear the crowd cheering as I ran down the touch line and felt the defenders coming down on me.

“I kind of slung off the first guy and his boot went flying into the air and I was free again.

“It was a great moment and for a while I think we believed that an upset was on the cards. But they did what they do best and deserved the win.”

Harvey will be lining up with his U.S. teammates against the Canadians today and is keen to see as much of the ball as possible.

Keep an eye on the 36-year-old speedster. He’s the kind of player that gets the crowd on their feet when he’s got the ball in his hand.