The current ongoings for all sport enthusiasts have restricted us from doing the best thing on a weekend. That is to sit back, relax, crack open a beer and tune into your Sky Sports or BT Sport. In terms of rugby, I have been struggling, thinking about the postponed six nations and wondering who would have won. Following on from this we had massive Champions Cup Quarter Finals where the best in Europe were set to lock horns.
However, with all negative actions, there is always a positive reaction, so I have put together my first three games in a series which I would like to call ‘Embracing the classics.’ Each game for me has had a huge influence on my rugby following over the past 21 years. I hope you enjoy.
Game 1
New Zealand vs Ireland 2012
This game was a huge turning point in Irish rugby, and it taught me an important lesson in my rugby analysis. Small margins win games.
In terms of the game, and series itself, nothing new happened. Ireland went down to New Zealand lost 3-0 then returned. However, this tour began to see the emergence of some new players starting to become established internationals. The likes of Simon Zebo, Connor Murray and Johnny Sexton following this tour began to further develop their legacy’s as big names in Irish rugby. The half back partnership of Murray and Sexton following the 2011 World Cup became established and is still in place to the day.
The game itself began with a young faced Connor Murray snipe resulting in 5 points and hope for Ireland. But sadly it ended in a Dan Carter drop kick in the last minute, not the cleanest strike but very well taken straight off the scrum.
Big game player in a big moment, on 72 minutes Ireland had a chance to kick to the corner force a try or 3 points but decided to go for goal which dropped short. Poor decision making as Sexton never had the legs, but Ireland learnt from this and following on they began regularly mixing it with the top of the top in international rugby. This game showed Ireland can compete and did ever since.
Will they have a better chance to beat NZ on their own patch again though?
Game 2
Australia vs Scotland RWC 2015
If Scotland won the game they had Argentina at Twickenham in a world cup semi-final. An unbelievable opportunity. This one must hurt Scottish fans a lot.
The game was end to end, Adam Ashely Cooper, Drew Mitchell x2, Kurindrani and Hooper all on the scoresheet. 5 tries was still not enough until the last minute with Scotland responding time and time again. The most end to end game in recent history- it was like a tennis match.
A Finn Russell charge down and pop to Seymour was simply Russell brilliance- a game changer. Then, Mark Bennett’s intercept just shy of 5 minutes to go to take the lead, we thought that was game over.
However, a very controversial refereeing moment with the ignorance of the use of a TMO and nerves of steel from Foley sent the Aussies into the world cup semi-final in the final minute.
Currently, I struggle to see a better opportunity for Scotland to reach a world cup final. This game had everything: tries, impeccable goal kicking and a massive controversial moment.
Game 3
Australia vs New Zealand 2000
Described as “The Greatest Game of Rugby Ever Played”- I can’t really argue at all with that one.
New Zealand raced into a 24-0 lead playing some sensational rugby. However, Australia responded with 27 unanswered points. It was 27-24 at HT. Yes, that is right. At half time. Did things slow up in the second half?
The answer was no. It continued going back and forth, not being decided until the final play with Lomu running in the final try to win the game in injury time 39-35. This game was one of the weirdest, not just Tri Nation’s history, but international rugby. High scoring and gripping, this game was full of class with legends littered all over the pitch. Stirling Mortlock, George Gregan, Tana Umaga, Christian Cullen and Andrew Mehrtens. The list goes on and on. The quality on display is second to none and the game showed that.
Australia actually went on to win this Tri-Nations beating New Zealand 24-23 in Wellington and beating South Africa 19-18 in Durban, so the home game, and maybe the easiest ended up being a thrilling loss. But looking back I am sure they would take it. This turned out not just to be a great game but an unbelievable Tri-Nations; maybe the greatest of all time. We haven’t even mentioned South Africa beating New Zealand 46-40 in the same competition that year. Everyone played their role.
Oh, how I miss the Tri-Nations in its prime, where all three teams were simply inseparable.
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