Sechelt’s John Allen was up against some tough competition at the rugby Over 30 World Classics in Bermuda this year – but, he said, it was still really good rugby.
After Team Canada lost to the British Lions on Nov. 8, Allen – who plays inside centre – said that a couple of bad plays cost them the semi-finals against France on Nov. 11.
“We lost 24-0 to France,” Allen said. “We were in the game the whole time, but we had a couple bad plays in our own zone and got scored against a few times. Then it just fell apart in the last half.”
The game against the British Lions was also rough on Team Canada.
“Literally every player on there has had over 20 caps,” Allen said. “Combined they probably have over 700 caps on their team. Canada had maybe 120 on their team. So it was a tough match there.”
Rugby players receive a cap for each international game they play in. The term dates back to the early days of British sports before teams wore matching jerseys. Instead, teams would wear matching caps.
“For the most part though, it’s just really good rugby. It was awesome to be down there,” Allen said. “We have a pretty good time, we all rent scooters and bomb around in them on our days off.”
When the athletes aren’t on the rugby pitch they have events lined up for them like sight-seeing and rum-tasting – which, Allen said, “everyone gets into.”
This was Allen’s first time in Bermuda at the World Classics; he normally plays in the Over 30s Classics between Canada and the United States.
“It’s a little faster down here, there are actually current pros, super 15s players – like on the Brit Lions,” Allen said. “Every single guy has played professionally. If you look at France, every guy has played pro or cap for the country. It’s pretty good rugby down here for sure. Good times.”
Allen added that Canada typically doesn’t do very well against teams like the British Lions – who are comprised of players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales – or France.
“The thing our coach Tom Woods says is just go out, you’re wearing the maple leaf on your chest. Go out and give it 110 per cent and just do what you can do,” Allen said. “Then leave it on the field and have a couple cocktails after the game.”
Allen said he will be playing in the next Over 30s Classics game in Victoria next summer. Allen grew up in Sechelt and moved to Vancouver in 2003.
