The 28th Edition of the Bermuda World Rugby Classic came to an end at the National Sports Center on an emotional night.
Following the attacks that shocked the World in France last night a moment of silence was observed before both the Classic Final and the Plate Final that featured France.
Classic Lions are the 2015 World Rugby Classic Champions
Classic Lions 22 New Zealand All Blacks 5
The Classic Lions showed that they wanted to lift this title when they took the lead after only 2 minutes, when Stuart Moffat went over but the Conversion was missed as they took a 5 – 0 lead.
With 5:10 remaining in the first half, the Lions went up 12 – 0, Barry Davies went over for the Try and Gareth Bowen kicked the Conversion as they took a commanding lead.
The New Zealand All Blacks would get on the scoreboard with 27:20 in the second half, Johnny Weston went over for a Try, but the Conversion was missed making the score 12 – 5.
The Lions much to the displeasure of the crowd kicked a Penalty with 16:50 remaining, Bowen with the wind at his back inside the 22 kicked it over clean.
The match was put away with no time remaining on the clock as Ollie Smith went over for a Try for the Lions and went Bowen kicked the Conversion to make the score 22 – 5 the referee blew the final whistle.
France are the 2015 World Rugby Classic Plate Champions
France 17 United States of America 5
This match was one played with heavy hearts from the French team after the events last night, prior to the match the France team and the United States of America team stood shoulder to shoulder showing the strength of Sports, the Bermuda Governor George Fergusson and Premier Michael Dunkley greeted both teams before a minute of silence was observed. The French team then sang their National Anthem as the Bermuda Crowd looked on.
The match finally got underway with France taking the lead with a Try from Benoit Marfaing and with the Conversion missed the score remained 5 – 0. Against the wind the United States of America drew level with a Try from Taylor Howden.
With the score deadlocked at 5 – 5 through to half time, France would regain the lead with 21:30 remaining in the second half when Marfaing went over again, once again the Conversion was missed making the score 10-5.
France would show their dominance when Jean Philippe Grandclaude went over for a Try with 3:50 remaining making the score 15 – 5 and when Laurent Marticorena kicked the Conversion it extended the lead to 17 – 5 to France.
A scoreline they would hold to the end, they were present their trophy by the Governor of Bermuda George Fergusson.
