They were a good team, with some talented players, and we heard that they’d had seven warm-up games. We were supposed to play New Zealand in the next group match but both sides were so battered we decided to go for a drink instead.It was no surprise that Argentina and Canada met in the final and it was a very good game with Argentina running out convincing winners. They played some serious stuff and certainly weren’t content to stand back and let us show off a bit of the old style.I was totally knackered at the end There was more of my skin on the pitch than there was on me New Zealand had a similar experience against Canada Joe Stanley said it was the hardest game he’d ever played Coming from an All Black that is a serious statement. We feared the worst when we heard that they’d been training every day, and when we met them they looked a lot younger than us. The British beat Bermuda in the first round, which was demanding enough on a very hard pitch Then we faced Argentina and took a 15-5 beating But it was a hammering in more ways than one. But we hadn’t reckoned with the fact that the game’s new professional philosophy is now present in every level of the sport, even the fun events.The other teams in Bermuda last week were South Africa, France, USA, Canada and Argentina and most of them meant business.
We were all looking forward to having a good laugh and entertaining the crowds, which have been numbering up to 5,000. The All Blacks were packed with famous old names like Jock Ross, now in his 50s, Andy Haden, Wayne “Buck” Shelford, Terry Wright, Joe Stanley and John Bow, who is tipped to be the next New Zealand coach.It was great to meet old opponents from all over the world that I hadn’t seen for years. The Classic has become just as ferocious and defensive as any class of rugby.I was part of a British Lions team that included players like Mike Teague, Wade Dooley, Keith Crossan and Colin Deans. ALONG WITH a group of other doddery rugby veterans, I’ve been finding out how tough the modern game is – and we’re not fond of it.
We’ve been gathered in Bermuda and, while there’s no lovelier island, we’re all aching from head to toe after competing in the Bermuda Classic tournament. This is one of the most popular events in the rugby world among those whose boots are not only hung up but rotting. It is extremely well organised and managed and the social side is very enjoyable, but the rugby itself has become ultra serious.
The oldsters playing in it used to revel in the chance to play open and expansive rugby and although everyone wanted to win, the tournament was played in a free and easy spirit Not any longer. A win but little satisfaction.Northampton: N Beal; J Sleightholme, A Bateman, M Allen, B Cohen; P Grayson, I Vass; G Pagel, S Walter (C Johnson, 60), M Scelzo, J Phillips, R Metcalfe, T Rodber (D Mackinnon, 78), P Lam (capt), S Holmes.Neath: G John; S Williams, D Tieuti, T Davies, M Singer; M Pearce (C Rees, 80), R Jones; D Jones ( L Gerard, 70), M Davies, A Millward, M Turner (A Codling, 53), A Jackson, S Van Rensberg, R Phillips (capt), B Sinkinson .Referee: B Smith (Irl).. A beautifully balanced run took him to within a inch or two of the Neath line but when the final whistle blew it was Neath who were hammering away at Northampton’s line. Lam remained in a class of his own, the sole Northampton player capable of breaking through and lifting the monotony. Rough justice perhaps, following Mr Smith’s failure a few minutes earlier to spot some sly jersey pulling as Allan Bateman went charging through on a deftly placed kick.Northampton continued on their slipshod way, spilling passes, spurning chances and generally making life difficult for themselves.
He escaped on a number of occasions but sadly outstripped his support and too often found himself isolated.Pearce kicked his third penalty within two minutes of the restart and six points were all that separated the sides until Grayson converted his third penalty after Shaun van Rensberg was penalised a shade harshly for a late tackle on Ben Cohen. Perhaps the ease with which they had scored their points induced complacency. But Pearce, with a drop goal and a penalty, kept Neath in the game.Grayson kicked his second penalty before half-time, giving Northampton the prospect of a second-half cashing in on their dominance in the first It did not happen. Inexplicably, the Saints scrummage began to fade and Neath, sharper and unquestionably swifter in the backs, began to make room for their quicksilver winger Shane Williams. When he did his passing lacked sharpness and accuracy.With a comfortable cushion of 12 points midway through the first half, Northampton appeared to be coasting.
The position had been set up by Grayson’s mighty penalty kick from inside his own half but, overall, the fly-half was well below his best. He missed with three kicks at goal, a penalty, conversion and drop, and seldom had the confidence to move the ball wide. Good though he is, this is hardly a compliment to the Saints backs, who are simply not good enough as an attacking force.Without the corrosive power of the pack Northampton have little to offer and, when the forwards start to misfire, as happened throughout the second half, they are in trouble. It was ludicrous that with such an abundance of possession, Northampton should have been a mere six points ahead going into the final quarter.Northampton’s second try was scored by Simon Holmes following Metcalfe’s clean line-out take and a concerted drive to the Neath line. That was fair enough because Lam had been, by a country mile, the most penetrative player on the field and, despite the possession which flowed the way of the Northampton backs, he remained in a class apart as a runner. Furthermore, in their efforts to keep Northampton out they conceded 14 penalties in this period, Grayson choosing to kick two and using the others to set up promising attacking positions for his pack.Northampton’s first try came, almost inevitably, from a scrummage pushover and although Metcalfe arose from the debris with the ball, it was Lam who was credited with the try.
