It’s been nearly 20 years since Justin Harrison flung his silver medal into Sydney’s Darling Harbour in a fit of rage after losing the 2003 Rugby World Cup final to England.
The former Wallabies lock has regretted his actions ever since.
On the eve of this year’s Test series decider between the two aforementioned teams, Harrison returned to the scene of his “Muhammad Ali moment”.
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Joined by former teammate Morgan Turinui, Harrison was taken to Cargo Bar on the pretence that they would preview the weekend’s match.
That was before being led into discussing his repressed memories of that solemn November night.
It’s a burden that’s stuck with Harrison, evidenced by his grimace as Turinui raises the topic in a pre-game segment filmed by Stan Sport.
“Mate, you didn’t have to bring it up,” Harrison said, rolling his eyes.
“I didn’t put it around my neck after the presentation and then got down there [to Darling Harbour] and had my Muhammed Ali moment and threw it into the water.”
Harrison has had little to show his children of their dad’s halcyon days.
As England Rugby president Jeff Blackett wandered onto the set, it soon dawned on Harrison what was about to happen.
Courtesy of World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont, Blackett was able to reach the makers of the 2003 Rugby World Cup medals who still had the original mould to produce a replica.
“You told me once that you threw your medal into Darling Harbour and how sad you were you couldn’t show your children, your boys,” said Blackett.
“I got in touch with World Rugby and I got in touch with ARU and I got in touch with the RFU and we’ve got you your silver medal for the 2003 World Cup.”
A chuckle soon turned to tears as Harrison hugged Blackett and then Turinui before recomposing himself.
“I can’t believe you’ve done that,” Harrison’s voice quivered.
“There you go, that’s twice I’m crying about the World Cup.
“It’s definitely for my two boys. I try to tell them the story and they say, ‘Where’s the medal?’ and I couldn’t show them. Now I can.
“I’ve even forgotten how good it looks,” he added.
“What was I thinking? That’s a beautiful medal for such a special moment in time.”
Harrison played 34 test matches for the Wallabies between 2001 and 2004.
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