DUBAI // The post-match tunnel. Three cheers for the opposition. Hip, hip, hooray. Whatever has past is forgotten and all are mates again.
These are the critical inconsequentials that make rugby what it is. Rarely has the post-match ritual been as emotionally loaded as it was after Saturday’s International Veterans final at The Sevens.
J9 Legends had lost 17-14 after the buzzer to the defending champions Xodus Steelers, but it mattered nought. This was a celebration of rugby, and one former great in particular.
Waisale Serevi, the Fijian master, pushed Joost van der Westhuizen, wheelchair-bound but refusing to bow to the ravages of motor neuron disease, through a tunnel of applauding Test players.
In the stands, spectators set aside the revelling to offer a standing ovation. It should be one of the enduring memories of the Dubai Rugby Sevens for all time.
“It was a very emotional moment for me,” Serevi said. “It was very touching from me to push Joost from the ground and bring him through the tunnel.
“I know I was in the right place at the right time, trying to help a great rugby player, a hero and a warrior who has done so much for his country and rugby.”
Superficially, the Steelers were the ultimate party poopers, stealing a last-minute success from the worthiest of causes. Like taking food from the mouths of bairns, as they might put it where they come from.
However, it could not have been much further from the truth. The side, mostly a cast of Scottish ex-Test players plus some imported help, wanted to celebrate Van der Westhuizen, too.
Thinus Delport, who scored the opening try, is also a former South Africa international. He knows well the impact the former scrum-half had on Springbok rugby, as well as the campaign he is promoting.
But his side were not about to give up their title on account of sentiment, even if they were indebted to some benevolence from the timekeepers that allowed them the overtime try that settled it.
“We were here to play and these guys will never lie down for anybody,” said Colin Bone, the founder and president of the Steelers.
“It is great to have a final like that, where it is full of legends of the game playing.”
To a man, the players from both sides have been there and done most things the sport has to offer.
Yet Saturday at the Dubai Sevens is something else, according to Jason White, the 77-cap former Scotland captain who led the Steelers.
“It was amazing, standing in the tunnel in the build-up, sizing up your opposition, recreating what we did back in the day ahead of a big club game or an international,” White said. “You look out at the crowd, the atmosphere is building, then you run out and all the old emotions come back again.
“It is a real privilege to be here and to be part of it.”
Defeat meant Serevi’s wait for a trophy triumph in Dubai goes on for another year.
He is 45 now, and a long way into retirement.
But no bother.
There is always next year and he says he will definitely be back for another tilt at the title.
Order your tickets now.
“I’m really happy. I’m so proud of the way we played after just meeting one day before the tournament,” said Serevi, who appeared to have won the game with a brilliant touchline conversion on the buzzer.
“When I was holding the ball ready to kick it, in my mind I thought, if I am going to be careful and focus 100 per cent on any kick, it has to be this one.
“It brought back to me memories of last-second kicks and tries that I have always tried to do to win games for us.
“The kick went in, I thought we had made it and then the ref said, ‘Two more minutes’. I said, ‘What?’ Then they came back.
“Congratulations to them.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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