The year that is just about to shuffle off was pretty enjoyable if you were a rugby fan. Here’s JOE’s five best games of the last 12 months.
5. Australia 25 New Zealand 20, Tri Nations
The Tri Nations was sneaked in early this year but it did deliver one gem, as Australia beat New Zealand in Brisbane to win the title.
The Wallabies raced into a 20-3 lead at half-time, helped by a gut-bursting run and try from the wonderfully coiffured Radike Samo.
But the All Blacks roared back, inspired by Dan Carter. The Kiwi was brilliant and two tries by Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu put them right back in it. Kurtley Beale then put hosts ahead and they clung on grimly for 20 tense minutes for the win and the trophy.
4. New Zealand 9 France 8, Rugby World Cup
The best ever Rugby World Cup final? Probably. Was it a demonstration of the beautiful aspects of the game? Definitely not. Was it compelling? To quote Churchill (the TV dog not Winston) Oh yes.
The sub-plots made this game so intriguing. France were self-destructing but almost won in spite of, rather than because of, manager Marc Lievremont. New Zealand were going through No 10s at the same speed that Spinal Tap go through drummers, eventually ending up with Stephen Donald squeezing his ample frame into the prized shirt.
In the end he took the kick that decided this titanic defensive struggle, ending 24 years of All Black whining and pining. France hardly deserved to win after such an abject tournament but they saved the best ‘til last.
3. Ireland 24 England 8, Six Nations
Is there anything sweeter than denying England a Grand Slam. Maybe winning one yourself but Ireland partied like it was 2009 on Paddy’s weekend this year.
Martin Johnson’s men arrived in Dublin scandal free, that’s how long ago this game was. They were hunting a somewhat surprising Grand Slam powered by the infuriating presence of Chris Ashton.
But they ran into an Irish team determined not to lose. Jonny Sexton was brilliant, keeping England pinned back and tries by Tommy Bowe and Brian O’Driscoll did the rest.
The scoreline could have been at least double that, so many chances did Ireland create but the win was enough to make the pre-Slam ad England recorded possibly the funniest thing we had seen all year.
Looking back, it was the beginning of everything unravelling for England but Ireland would have one more magic day in 2011…
2. Ireland 15 Australia 6, Rugby Word Cup
It was the day the entire country decided, yes, it is okay to start drinking at this hour, we just beat the Wallabies at the World Cup.
We had secretly hoped we could beat the Aussies but after a dismal set of warm-up games, nobody really thought we would.
But a combination of injuries hitting crucial Aussie players David Pocock and Stephen Moore, and some bloody-minded excellence from the Irish, led by Sean O’Brien and his gruesome mates in the pack, saw Ireland home.
Ronan O’Gara had to be called in and he nailed two penalties to ease the very frayed nerves but we didn’t fluke or stumble to this win, we bloody deserved it. Pity Wales went and beat us or we might still be partying and nobody would have even noticed the Budget.
1. Leinster 33 Northampton 22, Heineken Cup final
Quite simply one of the most stunning comebacks ever seen. Gary Glitter would need to have the No 1 song on iTunes for a month to top this.
At half-time Leinster trailled 22-6. Northampton were flying and the average Leinster fan was sobbing fat salty tears of woe onto his Ralph Lauren shirt. Then, according to legend, Jonny Sexton produced a half-time speech that would put a backbone into a jellyfish and the boys in Blue responded like demons.
The out-half himself ended the game with an astounding 28 points, as they held the Saints scoreless in the second half in Cardiff and won a second Heino in three years. A remarkable game and a remarkable victory.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
