Howard, the former Tigers director of rugby and Wallaby playmaker, was joined in the Classic Wallabies side by Australian greats including George Gregan, David Campese and Tim Horan. The Classic All Blacks side included the likes of Christian Cullen, Jeff Wilson and Justin Collins. Jason Spice, who had a six-game spell at Tigers earlier this season, was also involved for the Classic All Blacks.
The exhibition game was a 20,000 sell-out at Ballymore, with proceeds going to the Christchurch earthquake relief fund. The Classic All Blacks ran out 58-20 winners.
“I know Daryl Gibson and Jamie Hamilton, who work for the Crusaders, from my time with them at Leicester and they were affected so it was a no-brainer for me saying yes to playing,” Howard told the Australia Rugby Union website www.rugby.com.au
“I have played a lot of Rugby in Christchurch and have deep sympathy for those affected.
“Getting guys like David Campese out of the woodwork is special and people will want to see that.
“Seeing guys like Christian Cullen, Justin Marshall and Jeff Wilson is fantastic.
“These guys are absolute Rugby legends.”
SQUADS
Classic Wallabies:
Forwards: Andrew Heath, Andy McIntyre, Dan Crowley, Richard Harry, Tom Lawton, Sean Hardman, Jeremy Paul, Garrick Morgan , Mark Connors, Sam Scott-Young, Toutai Kefu, Scott Gourley, David Croft, Duncan Hall
Backs: Greg Martin (captain), George Gregan, Tim Horan, Pat Howard, Nathan Spooner, Anthony Herbert, James Grant, Peter Jorgensen, David Campese, Nathan Williams, Paul Carozza, Chris Latham
Classic All Blacks:
Forwards: Reuben Thorne (captain), Scott Robertson, Ian Jones, Kees Meeuws, Craig Dowd, Slade McFarland, Deon Muir, Kelvin Middleton, Thomas Maling, Hayden Scown, Charles Riechelmann, Justin Collins, Dustin Watts
Backs: Justin Marshall, Christian Cullen, Jeff Wilson, Glen Osborne, Caleb Ralph, Karl Te Nana, Frank Bunce, Ofisa Tonuu, Charles Hore, David Holwell, Jason Spice
