world rugby classic Celebrating 25 years of rivalry and friendship a special advertising section of the bermuda sun
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hospitality in Bermuda and the tent we had had bullet holes in it from the Second World War. “We have come a long way since then. “The move to the National Stadium gave us a bigger canvas to work on and everyone jumped on board. “Since then it has grown enormously. “And for me, each year, to see what we have achieved in practice is just amazing.
By Simon Jones sjones@bermudasun.bm
Over the last 25 years the World Rugby Classic has become an unmissable feature of the island’s sporting calendar. John Kane, the man who makes it all tick, says the event is now a credit to all the people involved in it. Scores of rugby players and fans of the sport descend on the island for the week of intense rivalry and competition.
Expense
Camaraderie
And the event has also built a strong reputation for camaraderie and friendship amongst the players and the fans. This year’s 25th Classic is sure to be an even bigger celebration of the qualities inherently found in and around the sport. Mr Kane said: “A lot of work goes into it from a huge number of people. “We are very fortunate in Bermuda that we have never wanted for volunteers and that has helped a huge amount.
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upset: Last year’s Australia vs. Canada game was typical of the unpredictability of the Classic. The Wallabies had most of the run of play in the second half, but the Canadians then pulled off a surprise upset to win 19-15. “It’s a full time job for a lot of people on top of the day job they have. “And I know a lot of
people take great pride in staging the event every year.” Mr Kane says the future
of the Classic remains bright and there is no reason why the tournament should not continue.
He added: “I remember when we first started the Classic, there was really no such thing as corporate
“As a chartered accountant we work a lot in figures and on paper, but to see something come to life like the Classic each year has been (something) very special to be a part of.” Mr Kane added: “As for the future I’m sure the Classic will continue. “It has become too big and too much a part of Bermuda to disappear. “It has been expensive to run over the years, but we are hopeful that we can get it on a sound financial basis and other people can then take it forward.” n
World Rugby Classic: a special advertising section
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n the players / Ones to watch
Five big names to keep you enthralled on the pitch By Simon Jones sjones@bermudasun.bm
Serge Betsen
These five rugby veterans are definitely ones to watch this year. From Springbok Percy Montgomery to Frenchman Serge Betsen, Scot Gordon Bulloch, Australian Matt Dunning and Canadian John Graf, expect lots of thrills and spills at the National Sports Centre next week.
Percy Montgomery
The flying Springbok fullback had the ability to rip international defences apart if given just a fraction of time and space. His radar-like left boot was one of the most lethal weapons in world rugby as he racked up more than 100 caps for his country. Montgomery ended his international career in August 2008, at which time he held the all-time record for both caps and points for the Boks. The 38-year-old is one of the biggest names at this year’s Classic. The South African team will be hoping his talent with the ball in hand will be able to propel them to great things. n
montgomery
betsen A master of the dark arts around the ruck and maul, Betsen comes from the school of hard knocks. The no-nonsense back rower had a reputation for putting his body on the line for his team as a player. And he still has the scars to prove it. He won 63 caps for France during a playing career that spanned 11 years. But today the 38-year-old is a member of the ‘Champions for Peace’ club — a group of 54 famous elite athletes who are committed to serving peace in the world through sport. n
Gordon Bulloch
bulloch
Kiwis and Haka will be missed But if any team can bring the crowd to life it is the enigmatic French with their natural flair and The New Zealand ‘Haka’ unpredictability. has become one of the most And perhaps the fans will eye-catching spectacles in have to make do with the world rugby. Argentinians rather less And over the years at the historical adaptaWorld Rugby Clastion of the dance. sic hundreds have All Black coach, turned out just to Andy Haden, was see the Maori war quick to wish all the dance performed teams at this year’s at the National event well. Stadium before the He said: “Our Kiwis do battle on best wishes for the pitch. haden a successful and cyclone-free 2012 Unfortunately this year Rugby Classic. the spectators will have to “We would like to remind forgo the electrifying expethe organisers that our golf rience as the All Blacks are team hasn’t been beaten not taking part. at Riddell’s Bay for five The team, which has years.” won two out of the last The All Blacks are three tournaments, will be hoping to return to Bermumissed and will leave big da in the near future. n boots to fill.
By Simon Jones
sjones@bermudasun.bm
Flair
The Scottish hooker has become a familiar face at the Rugby Classic over the years. And the Classic Lions will be thrilled they can call on his dynamism and pace around the park this year. The Glaswegian has an enviable international track record. He played for his country no less than 75 times and also won two caps for the British and Irish Lions in the 2001 and 2005 tours. Last year he was one of the stand-out forwards for the Lions in their campaign ,which ended in the finals. This 37-year-old will be hoping he can go one better this year. n
Matt Dunning
dunning Dunning became the cornerstone of the Wallaby pack after making his international test debut at the age of 24 in October 2003, during that year’s Rugby World Cup competition. He went on to win 45 test
caps for his country and to play in two World Cup campaigns for Australia. The 33-year-old built up a fierce reputation for scrummaging and hard running in his playing days for Australia and the New South Wales Waratahs. And his bulk and power will provide the Classic Wallabies with a little something extra in the loose this year. n
John Graf
The Canadian scrum half was an ever-present part of his national side in the 1990s, making more than 50 test appearances. His versatility meant he was capped in four different positions in his international career including scrum half, wing, centre and stand-off.
graf Graf was a member of the 1991, 1995 and 1999 World Cup squads and was renowned for his sniping runs around the base of the scrum and his lightning passes. The British Colombia Hall of Famer has played plenty of Rugby Sevens too and is likely to be the heartbeat of the Maple Leafs’ effort this year. n
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World Rugby Classic: a special advertising section
November 9, 2012
THE BERMUDA SUN
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battle of the brawn: The Classic Lions in their winning final against South Africa in 2008. The Lions rampaged home to lift the Cup with a score of 19-5.
Wounded Lions still ready to pounce on Cup Brit and Irish side hit by big name injuries and withdrawals By Simon Jones sjones@bermudasun.bm
It has been a while, four years to be exact, since the pink-shirted home favourites lifted the Cup at the World Rugby Classic. They have been on the wrong side of two hardfought finals in that time and will be hoping they get the rub of the green this year. The Classic Lions come to Bermuda with a squad brimming with Classic experience as well as international talent. But they have been hit hard by some last minute
withdrawals and injuries to some of their big players. There are still plenty of familiar faces in the pack, in the shape of Scot Gordon Bulloch and Irishman David Corkery.
Spirit
The Scottish back row man, John Petrie, who won 45 caps for his country, will provide mobility and cunning in the loose. And scrum half Dave Scully is back again to boss the forwards about and give them direction. While in the backs there is still plenty of pace and power to cause opposing
‘They have been on the wrong side of two hard-fought finals... and will be hoping they get the rub of the green this year.’
recent years, such as Andy Gomarsall, Mark Ronnie Regan and Irish giant Malcolm O’Kelly. And to add insult to injury the Classic Lions have also suffered a string of high profile late withdrawals to further hamper their chances.
Wisdom defensive lines some serious problems. Wales and Bridgend winger Daffyd James has proven his pedigree over the years and will be looking to get the ball in open
space. And Ben Breeze is another flyer capable of wreaking havoc in the midfield. But this is a Lions team shorn of some of the big names that we have seen in
World Cup Winner Josh Lewsey, Irish second row Mick O’Driscoll and the ever-present Shane Byrne are among the casualties that have had to pull out of this year’s Classic for a variety of reasons. This has left the team
somewhat depleted in numbers, but not in spirit. Of course they will go into their first game against Canada on Monday as strong favourites. But should they advance to face either Australia or Italy they will have their work cut out. They will need the home crowd to act as a 16th player if they are to beat the odds this year and just make it to the final again. And maybe a few passionate words of wisdom from the Lions legend Willie John McBride would come in handy too. n
THE BERMUDA SUN
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Can the Argentinian Pumas do the double? By Simon Jones sjones@bermudasun.bm
The Pumas took everyone by surprise to claim the Classic last year, except maybe themselves. With their unique brand of ball-carrying forwards and jinking backs they have established a no-nonsense style of play and a game plan that could put any of this year’s teams to the sword. They may have lost the element of surprise and the tag of underdogs by winning the Classic last year. But the Argentinians exude self-belief and confidence, and few would bet against them doing the double. They play hard but they also enjoy the camaraderie of the competition and that shows when they take to the field. This year their team is full of the usual suspects who did the job for them last year.
Inspiration
Playmaker Federico Todeschini is back again hoping to orchestrate another Argentinian masterpiece. The fly half’s right boot played a vital role in getting his team to the final. And he will be ably supported by the flyers in the back line like Sebastian Crispo and Santiago Van Der Ghotte who also made a big impression at last year’s Classic. While up front in flanker Fernandez Lobbe they had possibly one of the standout forwards of the competition. His proven pedigree of 65 international caps for the Pumas will provide leadership and inspiration when the going gets tough. But he will have plenty of second lieutenants to call on too with the return of lock Juan Campero, who was one of the main reasons the Argentinians
n Photo by simon jones
victory: The Pumas lift the trophy after winning last year’s World Rugby Classic against the Classic Lions, with a final score of 25-19.
‘Few would bet against the Argentinians upsetting the odds again.’ won the competition last year. The Pumas will also be
happy to see prop Julio Brolese return to Bermudian shores after his heroics in 2011. Their already-strong squad will be further bolstered by the addition of second row Rimas Alvarez, who has been capped 44 times for his country. His addition is sure to add plenty of grunt and go forward. The defending champions will have a battle on their hands when they take on France in the opening game of the competition on Saturday night. But if they can avoid the
banana skin of the everunpredictable French then they look set to face the Springboks in the semi-
final on Wednesday. The South Africans have a great squad packed full of talent and strength this
year, but few would bet against the Argentinians upsetting the odds again. n
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World Rugby Classic: a special advertising section
THE BERMUDA SUN
classic action / Classic photos from yesteryear n Photo by kageaki smith
haka: The Classic All Blacks celebrate winning the 2010 finals with a demonstration of the Haka, a traditional Maori war dance from New Zealand.
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tussle: The Springboks try to keep possession against the all-conquering All Blacks in this game from 2009.
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reach: Canada against Argentina in 2009.