No crowing from Russell as Ireland out-wizard the Aussies
Monday November 11 2002
Surrounded by bodyguards, the star of 'Gladiator' showed no sign of being the angry man of Hollywood, as he is often portrayed, as he took time out to sign autographs as he left the ground on foot.
"I'm here on behalf of Mr Harris," said the Australian star. "He wouldn't have been disappointed. I think he would have enjoyed it very much. It was a great game." Mr Crowe said that, having already visited the late Richard Harris's home town of Limerick, his visit to Ireland was complete.
Some of his countrymen were rather more despondent, however, and not just because of the 18-9 result: meet the extended family of Australian Number 4 Owen Finegan. More than 100 of them - from all over Ireland, Scotland, England and Australia - had come to the match only to see him taken off after less than 20 minutes.
After the game his mother, Josephine Finegan, who is originally from Bantry, Co Cork, but has been living in Australia since she was a child, was waiting to hear the news from the hospital. It wasn't good.
"His season is over," announced her husband, who had just heard from St Vincent's Private Hospital.
"There's a huge crowd waiting to see him play against England next week and they'll be disappointed now," said one of the group.
In the background Irish fans sang 'Waltzing Matilda'. Even the Australians' most famous song was no longer theirs to sing.
- Neal Ellis
