TRIBUTE MATCH A FITTING END FOR LEGENDS

The rugby world had better watch out because there is yet another Quinnell ready to roll off the famous Llanelli production line. On the day that his dad, Scott Quinnell, brought down the curtain on his career, six-year-old Steele stole the show at the Millennium Stadium by joining forces with the rest of the family clan to score the last try in another stunning ‘Tribute to Rugby’s Legends’ show.

Last year it was 80-80 in the Neil Jenkins XV v Jason Leonard XV match, while this time it was 67-57 to Rob Howley’s rest of the World XV against Scott Quinnell’s Britain & Ireland XV.

If there had been plenty of moments to savour from some of the greatest names in professional rugby history during the first 58 minutes, the final two minutes brought the near 20,000 crowd to its feet to salute one of the greatest rugby family’s in the world.

Scott had been joined by brothers Craig and Gavin in his side’s pack for much of the game, but with the clock ticking to the end of his career he was given a moment to cherish for the rest of his life.

Joining him on the field in one last change were not only Craig and Gavin, but also his father Derek and son Steele.

“What a fantastic way to end my career. It was emotional enough throughout the day because of the great turn out from the players and the warmth of the crowd, but to go onto the field to play with my son, brothers and dad for those last few minutes was something else,” said Quinnell. “It is something I will remember and cherish for the rest of may life. We had to pick Steele up to get him to score the last try and he’s going to school this week with the man of the match trophy.”

Steele was a bit of reluctant hero, needing to be driven over the line in familiar family company to score the last of the 20 tries, but he does have some hard acts to follow with a name like Quinnell.

The action gest underway as Quinnell and Howley abseil
into the action

Rivalling Steele for top billing was former Rangers and Scotland soccer star Ally McCoist, better known these days for his role as a team captain in a Question of Sport. He promised Howley that he would come and take the goal kicks for Quinnnell’s team, yet he ended up playing a full 30 minutes in the second half.

So just how do these rugby boys compare to soccer’s finest?

“We have a very healthy respect for rugby players, especially now that the game is fully professional,” admitted McCoist, who was given a free run in by former All Black Mark Robinson for a solo try. “I absolutely loved it out there and I can now confirm that rugby players are very, very big indeed.”

Brave to a fault, the Scottish striking legend took himself off the wing to go in at hooker for one scrum. Jason Leonard and Darren Morris hugged him close, but Trevor Leota ensured he almost hit the roof before heading back to the flanks.

It was a moment that had the crowd roaring with delight – almost as much as when Simon Raiwalui picked McCoist up in a one handed tackle and nearly ripped his shorts off with his free hand.

It was that sort of occasion. Plenty of stars, plenty of action and plenty of laughs.

Career move?: Ally McCoist tries penalty kicking of a
different kind

“It was a very humbling experience seeing so many legends of the game, and so many fans, turning out for us,” said Howley, who was restricted to goal kicking duties because of his wrist injury. “It was a very special way to bring down the curtain on my playing career.”

Howley is set to remain in rugby as backs coach at Cardiff Blues next season, while Quinnell is to give up his coaching duties with Llanelli to return to the family chemical business. Two giants of the Welsh and world game who will be sorely missed.

Scorers:

Britain & Ireland:
Tries: D James 2, G Evans 2, Scott Quinnell, M Van Gisbergen, G Quinnell, A McCoist, Steele Quinnell

Cons: A McCoist 4, K Logan, Charmian Martin (ball girl)

Rest of the World:
Tries: A Havili 3, S Terblanche 2, R Ibanez, C Dowd, J Williams, B Skinstad, C Krige, T Leota

Cons: R Howley 6

Britain & Ireland XV
M Van Gisbergen (London Wasps)
D James (Scarlets/Wales)
A Bateman (Maesteg/Wales)
J Deveruex (Maesteg/Wales)
K Logan (Glasgow/Scotland)
N Jenkins (Wales)
K Bracken (Saracens/England)
J Leonard (England)
M Regan (Bristol/England)
D Morris (Leicester/Wales)
C Quinnell (Blues/Wales)
D Weir (Scotland)
T Diprose (Harlequins/England)
P Volley (Castres Olympique/England)
S Quinnell (Scarlets/Wales, captain)

Replacements:
J Davies (Scarlets/Wales)
J Humphreys (Bath/Wales)
A King (London Wasps/England)
G Llewellyn (Bristol/Wales)
C Wyatt (Scarlets/Wales)
G Quinnell (Scarlets)
G Thomas (Scarlets/Wales)
P John (Pontypridd/Wales)
G Evans (Scarlets/Wales)
T Smith (Northampton/Scotland)
G Townsend (Borders/Scotland)
M Galwey (Ireland)
A McCoist (Rangers/Scotland)
D Quinnell (Wales)
Steele Quinnell

Rest of the World XV:
B Reihana (Northampton Siants/NZ)
S Terblanche (Ospreys/SA)
T Vaikona (Saracens)
S Finau (Scarlets/Tinga)
A Snyman (Leeds Tykes/SA)
G Merceron (Clermont Auvergne/France)
J van der Westhuizen (SA, captain)
C Dowd (London Wasps/NZ)
R Ibanez (Saracens/France)
R Snow (Dragons/Canada)
L Gross (Newcastle Falcons/USA)
S Raiwalui (Saracens/Fiji)
B Skinstad (SA), C Krige (SA)
J Williams (Munster/Aus)

Replacements:
T Leota (London Wasps/Samoa)
Z Feaunati (Bath/Samoa)
J Paramore (Bedford/Samoa)
M Robinson (Northampton Saints/NZ)
A Havili (Scarlets/Tonga)
M Griffiths (Wales)

Referee: Alain Roland (Ireland)

Earlier in the day a Llanelli Schoolboys XV beat Brynteg Comprehensive U15 29-0 and Llanelli Past & Present recovered from being 22-0 down to beat Bridgend Past & Present 35-29.

Jonathan Davies, making his playing debut at the Millennium Stadium, sent Wayne Proctor racing clear for a decisive try, although the Scarlets did have the benefit of some biased refereeing in the second quarter when Rupert Moon took charge.

All of a sudden, they moved from being 22 points in arrears to a mere one at half-time, when Huw Lewis returned to the middle.

“I don’t know how we lost that game,” said former Wales wing Glen Webbe.

“Never again,” were the only words Jonathan Davies, and many more of the players, could manage.

Bridgend’s former Wales and Lions No. 8 Gareth Williams took the prize for the oldest player on the field, 50, while Llanelli’s former Wales prop Ricky Evans was the fittest. He played in the front row the day after completing an extreme marathon over 33 miles on Dartmoor the previous day.

Colin Stephens, now coaching in England, was the Scarlets’ hero as he scored 15 points in a game that ended five tries each.

Scorers:
Bridgend:

Tries: G Webbe 2, M Jones, M Brown, R Diplock
Cons: R Howley, A Williams

Llanelli:

Tries: P Jones, S Davies, C Stephens, S Ford, W Proctor
Cons: C Stephens 5