Home > News > 1999 > December 1999 > Rugby World Champions played like actuaries
Rugby World Champions played like actuaries
For readers who don't know, rugby is a rough and muddy contact game played with an oval ball by gentlemen (and recently, by ladies) who enjoy the subsequent replays in the bar almost as much as the game itself. At international level, rugby is an exciting game played by athletes of enormous physical stature and talent. These are occasions where the crowds indulge their pride in their nation with some of the best singing you will ever hear, together with much good-natured banter and an appreciation of good play from whichever side. Unlike football (soccer), there is no segregation between rival supporters and crowd trouble is unheard of. Indeed the phrase "rival fans" is not used to describe a rugby crowd.
For many years, BW partners have indulged their enjoyment of rugby by supporting England (except that Huw supports Wales) at Twickenham. These events are nearly always accompanied by a party, held before and after the game, in the car park where food and drink and much socialising occurs. This bit especially appeals to the party animals amongst the BW partners who often invite clients and friends to share their enjoyment.
As many readers will know the Rugby World Cup has just finished. This is held every four years at different locations around the world. Wales, England, France and Scotland hosted the finals of the 1999 competition. Many of the matches were staged at Twickenham where the BW partners and their guests were able to watch a feast of rugby.
The competition was truly international and had started a year earlier with teams from 60 countries of whom 24 made it to the finals. The winners were Australia. They were powerful, efficient and tactically astute but were not the most exciting team to watch. The report of the final in the Times the following day commented that the Australians had played like actuaries. We are still trying to decide who this was complimenting!
The two semi-finals were held at Twickenham on 30 and 31 October. The first game featured Australia and South Africa, who had luckily beaten England in their previous match. Ian Ferguson and Mark Howard from the Cheltenham office hosted this game (pictured here, with guests).
They and their guests enjoyed an excitingly close match which went into extra time before South Africa lost their first game in any World Cup. However, you will remember that this was only the second time they had been allowed to play!
The second match, between France and New Zealand, was the game of the tournament. Pete McGurk and Tony Leandro were the BW hosts. Given the illegal French ban on British Beef, France was not at all popular and, anyway, New Zealand were firm favourites to win. This anti-French feeling was shared by the BW contingent who nobly refrained from eating or drinking anything French before the match. Fortunately, there were plenty of other supplies, which could be consumed without offending any British principles.
Like most of the rest of the crowd the BW party arrived at their seats suitably fortified and expecting to see a New Zealand win. The resulting display by France, who pulled back from a 24-10 deficit to score 33 thrilling points before New Zealand gathered some consolation at the end of the game, completely won the hearts of the crowd and the approval of the BW party.
Now for the six Nations competition early next year when the French will, no doubt, get their comeuppance from the superb English team!
Tony Leandro, November 1999