It is timely that the curtain is drawn this weekend on Rugby World Cup 2015 in England. Not because it feels like the 20-nation tournament has been going on for ever, with the first of 48 games having kicked off on September 18. But, rather, because to view the bronze final today between the losing semi-finalists, and then the main event tomorrow, is to be treated to object lessons in areas that we could take serious heed of in Bermuda: accountability, discipline, teamwork, pride, respect.

Rugby union by its very nature can be the most brutal of sports — the term “blood replacement” is not there for no reason — and, as such, requires policing, off the field as well as on. At times, because of the confrontational nature of the sport, tempers can bubble over, but such occasions are few and very far between, all brought under control by a comparatively pint-sized referee.

It is inherent in every rugby club and coach that no one can be allowed on to a playing field unless he or she has adopted a code of conduct that instils the previously mentioned principles. It is absolutely essential.

How else can you explain “oversized” beings coming away from frightening collisions with a commitment only to sniff out the next collision? And then, when it is all over, have the wherewithal to offer a hand to a vanquished foe? As Sonny Bill Williams, of New Zealand, did with a South Africa player last weekend at the end of an epic semi-final at Twickenham that could have gone either way.

Those who argue for the primacy of rugby claim that it is acts such as that which make their sport the greatest in the world. Maybe, maybe not. But what is undisputed is that rugby breeds values on the pitch that we would like to see throughout society.

That is not to say that rugby players do not mess up; sure they do. A quick search and you will find reams of copy on how England players at the 2011 World Cup made Martin Johnson’s position as head coach untenable. And this year, Manu Tuilagi, the host nation’s best outside centre, was booted off the squad for appearing in the national press for the wrong reason once too often — this time for assaulting a taxi driver and then the two female police officers who attempted to arrest him. Tuilagi was followed out of the squad soon after by Dylan Hartley, the first-choice hooker and former captaincy candidate, who was dropped after being found guilty of head-butting an opponent in an off-the-ball incident.

Although both men have a history of indiscipline, it is because the authorities acted swiftly and without favour in determining the way forward that rugby stands proudly atop the heap for making its practitioners accountable.

The structures put in place for rugby make it so that discipline is the most critical component. The referee is the primary arbiter on the field but he is assisted by his two line judges on matters of discipline, as well as by the television match official, or TMO — retroactive action in a live match. Almost all infractions are caught, with those deemed serious referred to a citing commissioner, who has the power to impose bans of indeterminate length.

The fallout from indiscipline is more punitive in rugby than in any other sport because it can lead directly to points if the placekicker is having a good day — and in the cases of Dan Carter and Bernard Foley, who will be on opposite sides for New Zealand and Australia respectively in tomorrow’s final, they have more good days than most.

Consistent offending leads to the yellow card. Players shown the yellow card, and sent to the sin-bin, leave the field promptly. No mumbling and grumbling, or other assorted lip service, to the referee. That is pretty impressive to see. Very adult. Civilised even. Football and cricket, to a lesser extent, cannot match that level of control — especially in Bermuda.

So on to teamwork. The co-ordination and trust that goes on is commendable on its own. Without it, team-mates will not leave the field under their own power. Some don’t, mind, because this is the most brutal of contact sports, after all. But for the set-pieces to work — scrum, lineout, maul, ruck and counter-ruck — there is a synchronisation required on such a consistent basis that, were there to be parallel on a football pitch, we would be singing “Just like watching Brazil”. Ahem, the old Brazil.

So imagine how exhilarating it is to watch the All Blacks — aka New Zealand for the uninitiated — when rugby’s equivalent to “everyone’s second favourite football team” are in full flow.

Wales had a wretched time with injuries at the tournament but apart from having the best national anthem, run close by South Africa, the pride seen coursing through their veins before a match is a sight to behold. Alun Wyn Jones, the lock, is the poster boy for Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers), as is prop Tendai “The Beast” Mtawarira for Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, which made the preliminaries of the first quarter-final a fortnight ago one of the memorable moments of the tournament.

And finally on to respect. For that we return to the scene earlier where the All Blacks and Springboks had battered one another around a rain-dampened Twickenham for 80 pulsating minutes. It was always going to be hard on the loser, and Williams, who could be said to be among the more extrovert of the New Zealand players, knew that his opposite number was hurting.

No taunting, bragging or other signs of the immaturity that we witness on our football and cricket fields with embarrassing frequency. Rather, a hug and a helping hand.

Rugby mandates that the teams give one another an honour guard before leaving the pitch. It is the final act of respect — for the game, for one another. No matter who won, or whether there was a hint of controversy, as happened when Australia squeaked past Scotland in the fourth quarter-final. It is simply the done thing.

With the Scottish defeat in mind, it is notable that the captain, Greg Laidlaw managed to fulfil his obligations to the media while clearly distraught. It made for painful watching but the respect for the man and for what he represented went through the roof.

Try that one on here when things don’t go according to plan — or even when they do. You get the unhelpful “No comment”, “I don’t speak to the press”, “Talk to the players”. The worst of the worst was the “No comment” from a cricketer who shall not be named after he had touched the heights by taking eight wickets in an innings in Cup Match. Charming.

For clues, see two grown men rolling around on a field in a video nasty that has amassed worldwide hits into the tens of thousands.

Rugby is often viewed dismissively by Bermudians, mostly through ignorance, but we could do with a bit of what they bring to the party.

There is hope, though. Beyond Rugby Bermuda has made great strides in introducing the game to youngsters and making further inroads into the schools. The main goal is said to be helping children to graduate with options, and instilling core values and good qualities through rugby.

The partnership between the Bermuda Rugby Football Union and Family Centre, which provides a homework academy structure after school and further rugby training and family support services, draws parallels with what the America’s Cup Event Authority is attempting to do with the Endeavour sailing programme.

Both noble ventures that should lead to better, well-rounded citizens. We could do with a healthy dollop of them.