Former All Blacks pair Piri Weepu and Luke McAlister were refused release from their clubs to take part in the Jerry Collins tribute match in Toulon.
Oyonnax and Toulouse, the respective clubs of Weepu and McAlister, denied the pair the chance to play for the Classic All Blacks against Toulon, the New Zealand Herald reported.
Despite being on a month-long break during the Rugby World Cup, the clubs didn't allow either to play, but both attended the match to show their support from the stands.
All proceeds from the match went to the family of Collins and his wife Alana, who died in a car accident near Narbonne in June.
The Classic All Blacks featured a host of great players including Carlos Spencer, Justin Marshall and Carl Hayman, but were handily beaten 68-21 by the European Champions.
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