They rolled in from all parts of the rugby world, some of them outstanding All Blacks wanting to pay tribute to an old mate. The result was a forgone conclusion, a heavy defeat. But for once, they didn't mind so much.
Because this was something different, a remembrance and fundraising match for their comrade Jerry Collins, who died in the car accident in France five months ago which also killed his wife Alana and left their wee daughter Ayla severely injured.
The game pitted the Classic All Blacks, led by Collins' fellow Hurricanes loosie Chris Masoe, against Toulon, the current European champions who Collins played for briefly when his test career ended.
Carl Hayman, the former All Black test prop, turned out for the Classic team against his old Toulon team mates and told the club's website: "It was a great occasion to be here with players I played with about 10 to 15 years ago.
"Yes, it was a bit strange to play against Toulon, strange to play against friends. But the most important thing was that it was for Jerry.
"That was the most important thing for us and I hope we've achieved the objective of raising money for his family.
"I think we did (pay homage to Collins) and it was good to get money for Jerry's daughter - that was our aim, and to play a match for everybody and Toulon.
"It was good to see the New Zealanders - there were a lot of players in the group who haven't played much for two or three years."
The Classic team included former French prop Franck Tournaire, 42, who was a close friend of Collins'.
Hayman, who retired this year, said: "He was very close to Jerry at Narbonne. It was good to see mates who travelled to be here for Jerry."
Classic coach Robbie Deans said his team of old stars had shown "glimpses of the past" despite being well past their prime.
"They are a very proud group of men not accustomed to losing when they have a fern on their chest.
"Most of them don't play anymore. Most of them are retired. They have to be realistic. It is very difficult to compete with full time professionals when you only go for a run occasionally.
Classic All Blacks: Bruce Reihana, Kendrick Lynn, Rudi Wulf, Anthony Tuitavake, David Smith, Carlos Spencer, Justin Marshall; Troy Flavell, Chris Masoe (c), Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Carl Hayman, Andrew Hore, Saimone Taumoepeau.
Reserves: Corey Flynn, Franck Tournaire, Hoani Tui, Jason Eaton, Alex Tulou, Kevin Senio, Ben Atiga, Steve Brett, Dean Budd, Orene Ai'i.
Toulon: Delon Armitage, Josua Tuisova, Théo Belan, Maxime Mermoz, Lachlan Turner, Willie Du Plessis, Jonathan Pelissié; Gerhard Vosloo, Steffon Armitage, Juan Smith (c), Romain Taofifénua, Thibault Lassalle, Matt Stevens, Jean Charles Orioli, Xavier Chiocci.
Reserves: Anthony Etrillard, Alexandre Menini, Jocelino Suta, Charles Ollivon, Virgile Bruni, Sireli Bobo, Eric Escande, Mohamed Boughanmi, Julien Caminati, Jimmy Yobo, UJ Seuteni.