History hits home for Aussie Allen

Cambridge No8 Dave Allen insists the history surrounding the Varsity Match will make Thursday’s clash with Oxford the greatest game he has ever played in.

Allen experienced top-class rugby with Ulster back in 2001 and 2002 and also represented Australian Universities but 130 years of tradition will ensure winning his first Blue will top the lot.

The 33-year-old PhD student has long been told about the origins and the importance of the inter-university clash, with the volume of support, fierce rivalry and the world-class venue combining to make this particular match extra special.

“The amazing thing about the Varsity is that it’s so well known,” said Allen, who was born in Auckland but went to secondary school in Sydney.

“There are guys that I’ve played rugby with who have done tours over here as 18-year-olds and gone to watch the Varsity. When I told them that I might be playing in that game they said, ‘that’s just incredible, it’s one of the best things we did on tour’. They explained how fortunate I was.

“I didn’t quite realise the significance at the time until I came out here and saw all the work that goes into the game and the incredible alumni that’s been involved in the fixture.

“The oldest building in Australia is around 200 years old yet my college was founded in around 1350. When you come to Cambridge and see the history you realise that it’s an incredible place. To be able to study at the number one university in the world and to be supervised by some brilliant minds is a tremendous experience but I’d be lying if I said that the Varsity Match didn’t feature in my decision to come here.

“First and foremost the decision was based on the academic side but to be able to play in the Varsity Match was a big thing for me. I’ve got friends who’ve done the same and they’ve said it’s one of the greatest experiences in their lives.

“I remember growing up in Australia and getting up at 2 or 3am to watch the telecast of the Wallabies playing England at Twickenham. In many ways it’s the spiritual home of rugby so to be given the opportunity to play there is an enormous privilege.

“It’s certainly the biggest crowd I’ll have ever played in front of and it’s surrounded by the biggest sense of anticipation. It’s what you play rugby for: a big game, a big crowd and a lot on the line.”

Allen’s selection at the back of the Cambridge scrum caps a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for a man who was forced into early retirement nine years ago.

Having joined the professional ranks at Ulster after impressing with Sydney outfit Easts, a serious neck injury led doctors to recommend he quit the sport just as he was getting into his stride.

Allen understandably took their expert advice but he never gave up hope of playing again at some stage in the future.

“It was obviously pretty upsetting at the time,” added an understated Allen.

“I kept losing feeling in my arms and a panel of three doctors said I shouldn’t play any more. While I accepted what they said, I believed in my heart that, if I still worked hard on everything, I’d play again.

“It was pretty shattering, though. Rugby’s been my passion since I was five years old and just when I started making some headway, it was taken away from me.

“But that’s life. One door closes and another one opens. I had a few years off and then managed to come out and play again after some great experiences working in the City for JP Morgan in portfolio management.

“There are many more players who have a lot more natural talent than me but I’ve always grafted hard and worked on my fitness, my strength and my skills and I’m very happy that all that has culminated in me being given an opportunity to play on this sort of stage again.”