It was some farewell. Even by some of the extraordinary standards George North has reached during his glittering 16-year career.
Two tries for the Barbarians against Wales, which included a blockbuster score with his first touch.
Then his final act as a rugby player came when he kicked his first professional conversion against Wales. Who would have thought that?
When North woke up on the morning before his final act, would he have been happy with that scenario?
“I would have bitten your arm off,” said North.
“The only thing that topped it would have been three tries scored in Cardiff but you can’t have everything!
“It’s been a massive privilege to have this final game because I didn’t think I would get one.
“To score two tries and finish like that in front of the Welsh guys in the crowd and with the Barbarians boys, after a special week, has been incredible.”
“I’ve loved every second but to be able to draw a line underneath things like that is amazing.”
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North rolls back the year with two-try display
North’s introduction as a second-half replacement on 47 minutes brought the biggest cheer of the day.
That was topped when he produced his moment of magic with his first touch. The 34-year-old rolled back the years and showed what Wales are missing when he powered through attempted tackles from Dan Edwards and Ellis Mee.
So was that just muscle memory?
“I don’t know, I panicked, I kept running,” said North.
“It was a Forrest Gump moment, I think. At that point it was a case of do what you know, take a deep breath and keep going.”
North says it was “weird” to score against Wales as he was mobbed by his Barbarians team-mates.
“The reaction of the lads says a lot,” said North.
“It’s been a special week with players that I’ve never met or played with before or against, coming together and gelling.”
Finishing his career with first conversion against Wales
North had not finished yet.
After sauntering in for his second score, the final moment of his rugby playing life came when he lined up to kick the first professional kick of his career.
“I was worried about my hamstrings and right at the back of the queue and the boys pushed me forward,” said North.
“There’s almost more pressure on that than anything in my career. If I missed that one, I would have never lived it down.”
North was understandably emotional after the game as he was overcome with tears in a post-match television interview.
“I sort of expected the emotions,” said North.
“It’s been a difficult year and I thought I had played my last game.
“When I had the phone call it was amazing to have that honour to have that invitation to play for the Baa-Baas.
“Then to sign off like that was special.”
Wales and Barbarians honour North
North’s fitting finale deserved to be played out in front of more than the sparse crowd that witnessed his ending at Twickenham.
His career was commemorated in both the Barbarians and Wales changing rooms after the game.
“There was a lovely presentation with the boys in the Welsh changing room and I felt honoured they spoke so kindly of me,” said North.
“It’s a special group and I said I was jealous that I couldn’t be on that journey with them.
“It is an amazing opportunity to stamp their mark on the jersey and shape how this team goes forward.
“I think with Steve [Tandy] and the rest of the coaching team and the squad, they’ve got a great opportunity now to make strides forward.”
What is next for George North?
North called time on his international career in 2024 having won 121 caps and scored 47 tries for his country, helping Wales win four Six Nations titles and two Grand Slams.
As well as his Wales exploits, he toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017, playing three Tests and scoring two brilliant tries in the series win against Australia.
After he produced these magical moments in his final professional career game former Wales women’s captain Rachel Taylor suggested half-jokingly on BBC Radio Wales commentary he might consider “one more year”.
That is not on the agenda but what next for North?
“Hopefully not much for a little bit,” said North.
“I think a couple of cold ones this evening. Then head back to Wales for a few days and have a bit of a holiday with the family.
“I am looking forward to having some time to chill. This is the first time I’ve stopped properly without anything needing medical attention for a while, so I am just happy with that.”
North says he would like to stay involved in rugby.
“I think I will in some capacity but I am not entirely sure what that looks like just yet,” said North.
“Rugby has given me so much for a long time. I have said to the Welsh boys, if anyone needs any help or if there is anything I can do for them, I’m only a phone call away.
“What that looks like I don’t know yet. But a holiday is definitely needed first.”
“I call him Sir George”
Wales and Barbarians players and coaches lined up to pay tribute to North after the game
Wales head coach Steve Tandy: “It’s always great for great players to finish on a high, but it’s great that he didn’t finish on too much of a high! [by helping Barbarians win]”
“He’s been an amazing ambassador and rugby player for our country.
“I wish him all the best in his future, because he’s done so many amazing things in the Welsh shirt.
“It’s been awesome for me to watch George. As a nation we pride ourselves on having some legendary players and he’s definitely one of them.”
Wales captain Dewi Lake: “He’s been unbelievable for Wales and for the Lions and for me personally throughout my career.
“I don’t think there’s a better way for him to have finished off, coming off the bench, scoring two tries.
“I wish him all the best because he’s done a lot of work for this country in this jersey.”
Barbarians coach Scott Robertson: “He was really pleased and said a couple of words to the guys afterwards. The first thing was about he is actually glad to have been playing.
“It’s been tough for him personally and he mentioned this opportunity meant a lot and he made the most of it.
“It’s a nice way to finish against your own country. The first touch showed how classy he was and we’ll remember as someone who is all class, a rugby great and a gentleman.”
Barbarians captain and double World Cup winning scrum-half Faf de Klerk: “I call him ‘Sir’ George even though I’m a bit older than him.
“He’s been great. When it comes to the job, you can see he turns it on and that’s testament to why he’s had more than 100 caps.
“He’s been great for us this week and the job he’s done on the game was amazing.
“I want to wish him well for everything that’s coming now.”
