Andrew Walker takes a conversion as the Classic Wallabies lose 29-19 to the Lions Legends at North Sydney Oval – Photo karenwatsonphotography.com

By Brendan Bradford –

Given its intensity, you could be forgiven for mistaking the Classic Wallabies’ clash with the Lions Legends on Thursday night for the much anticipated Game Three Lions decider at ANZ Stadium this weekend. The self-proclaimed “old blokes with bad knees who should know better” showed all the skill and plenty of the passion that saw them rise to the top of the sport in their heydays as the Lions Legends won 29-19 in front of a huge crowd at North Sydney Oval.

While fast paced and hotly contested, the match was played in great spirits – even when the floodlights went out for ten minutes – as the carnival atmosphere took over in the lead-up to the biggest match on Australian soil since the World Cup final in 2003. Some will say the score was inconsequential – and in many ways, considering the 12,425-strong crowd and laid back atmosphere, it was – but don’t tell that to the players.

David Campese stalked by Colin Charvis – Photo: karenwatsonphotography.com

“There’s no such thing as a friendly game of rugby, as you could see when Charvis got me and dumped me right in the middle of the cricket pitch, but that’s what it’s about,” said David Campese after the match. 

Colin Charvis, the former Welsh captain and back-rower who led the Legends side echoed Campese’s sentiments.

“We’re all very competitive people, we wouldn’t have gotten this far in our careers if we hadn’t been, but the great thing about these matches is it’s tough when it needs to be tough, and fun when it needs to be fun,” the 2001 Lions tourist said.

“It was more about the spirit of the game – you only get to play once in a blue moon when you retire and to have the crowd we had, it was a great feeling.”

Former Wallabies playmaker Andrew Walker was feeling the effects of the match a few minutes after the full time siren, but the 39-year old looks almost as fit as he did in his professional days and was one of the best on the park. Turning out regularly for the Fassifern rugby league club in Queensland, Walker spends most of his time running his Break the Cycle Charity and still possesses a massive boot and all the silky skills that helped the Wallabies defeat the Lions back in 2001.

“I haven’t stopped playing really,” he said.

“I’m thoroughly loving it and I’ve still got some of the moves, but I reckon I’m about ten per cent slower. Playing with the likes of Campo and Scotty Bowen and against a really good side was just awesome.”

To the delight of the vocal crowd, Walker and fellow former Galloping Green Campese were more than willing to run the ball and Campese in particular got the crowd to its feet with every touch. The 101-Test Wallaby Invincible attempted a couple of chip-kicks, a few flick-passes and of course the famous goose-step, and prompted Sydney Morning Herald scribe and former Wallaby Peter FitzSimons to comment: “Watching him is like watching a vintage Rolls Royce rolling down a hill. The way he moves is not as fast as it used to be, but he’s still got that class and when he hits that line he just mesmerises them.”

Anton La Vin scores for the Classics Wallabies. Photo: karenwatsonphotography.com

 While FitzSimons exercised the better part of valour in declining an invitation to play the last ten minutes, Eastern Suburbs back Anton La Vin was a late inclusion and took full advantage of the rare opportunity by scoring a second-half try as the Wallabies clawed back a 22-12 deficit.

“It was pretty surreal,” the Beasties centurion said.

“It was a good atmosphere and a bit tougher than we thought. I think with what these blokes have achieved, once the whistle’s blown, it’s in their competitive nature to rip in but I think I just took advantage of a couple of older blokes who might’ve been blowing pretty hard.”

According to former Wallaby prop Matt Dunning, ‘blowing pretty hard’ might have been an understatement.

“I’m glad we had uncontested scrums, a few of our boys might’ve needed the defibrillator if we had to push,”  he joked.

“I don’t know how many people are here but it’s pretty awesome. It’s good to see everyone turn up to see a few old fat blokes running around – mind you, there’s a few fit blokes too. (Walker) still looks fit and good and Campo’s about 50. Mate, if I’m 50 and can walk I’ll be happy, let alone play in a classics match.”