This try from 1973 is often put forward as the Greatest Try ever scored. It’s a big call. But it’s one hell of a team effort. What do you think? Any others spring to mind?
Update. James has sent us the link to the French 1994 try. Enjoy watching.
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Phil Coorey said | June 6th 2007 @ 3:22pm | Report comment
While I think the above is a great try, it came in an exhibition match.
I think the greatest try ever, was by the French against the All Blacks in the last minute at Eden Park (??) in 1994 (??)
jimma said | June 6th 2007 @ 3:25pm | Report comment
Great try.
Fortunately on topic I happened to see a better one than that on replay last night, it was the 1994 French try in the second test against the AB’s, in Auckland I think it was. Get that one on you tube if you can. Magnificent.
Also of course Campo’s flick pass to Lynagh simply because of the importance of the game. The final try against the Irish in Ireland as well.
What is it about the poor old AB’s? Bring out the best in everyone?
jimma said | June 6th 2007 @ 3:30pm | Report comment
PS. I love seeing the ‘old’ footage. Look at the bodies on those boys and compare them to the muscled behemoth of today.
Good to see that aimless kicking got punished back then too. What a shambles
jimma said | June 6th 2007 @ 3:30pm | Report comment
PS. I love seeing the ‘old’ footage. Look at the bodies on those boys and compare them to the muscled behemoth of today. Compare the R&M breakdown and how quickly the ball comes out of tackles, it doesn’t happen like that anymore (although that area still had rucking?)
Good to see that aimless kicking got punished back then too. What a shambles.
Ziggy said | June 6th 2007 @ 3:46pm | Report comment
The French try in last minutes – test vs ABs in Auckland 1994 – have to agree you can’t go past that.
Zac Zavos said | June 6th 2007 @ 3:54pm | Report comment
James has kindly sent us a link to the French match – which is on the article now. What a thrilling try!
sheek said | June 6th 2007 @ 5:59pm | Report comment
A couple of favourites:
1. Aus v NZ 1st test SCG 1980. Several minutes left, score 9-9. Aussies running towards Oxford St. Ball came out right from a scrum. Cox to Ella, Ella to Hawker, back to Ella on the run around, Ella to O’Connor, O’Connor to Martin, Martin dives for a try in the corner. Breathtaking in its precision.
2. Aus v Fra 2nd test SCG 1981. Late 2nd half, can’t remember the score at the time (24-14 fulltime). Almost identical scenario, except that Hipwell was scrumhalf, & O’Connor didn’t need to pass to Martin. He dived over himself. Obviously, they had improved their precision!!!
3. NZ v Aus 2nd test Wellington 1982. Wallabies scored an almost length of the field try with the ball passing through about 10 hands for campese to score & a 19-3 halftime lead (19-16 fulltime). Right up there with the French effort of 1994, without the dramatic finish to the game.
The Aussies produced another similar effort during that series, 3rd test I think. But the last pass or 2nd last pass was called back for forward.
There are probably others better, but they’re the ones off the top of my head.
So very, very, very, very sad that Mark Ella (25T), Mike Hawker(25T) & Mick O’Connor (12T) only played 4 tests together in the 10-12-13 positions (that’s right, only 4 tests in those 3 positions together)!
They did play all 3 together in two other tests. But on those occasions, both O’Connor & Hawker played a test on the wing.
Ella & Hawker played together 19 times (1980-84), Ella & O’Connor only 6 times (1980-82), & Hawker & O’Connor 10 times (1980-82).
Well, I guess it’s better than them never playing in any tests together. One can only wonder if they had come along 20 or 30 years later in the professional era, & if you add Wally Lewis & Tony Melrose, the catfights they would have had, competing for Wallaby jerseys at 10-12-13.
O’Connor & Hawker might both have ended up on the wing again, as happened on the 1977-78 schoolboys tour. Sorry, the reminiscing got to me!!!
Bob Thomas said | June 6th 2007 @ 7:04pm | Report comment
Watched the French try from 1994. Anyone notice that the French ran around the ref (Derek Bevan?) twice in that footage and appeared to use him – clever stuff.
The best try I have ever seen was by Mike Hudson who played outside centre for a team I started my rugby with in the UK. We were playing Blackheath and should have lost by bucket loads but we were still in it late in the second half when Mike took a pass in our 22 and stepped around 2 Blackheath players, ran inside the full back, put the wing cover on his arse then stopped on their try line and waited for our winger who was following up about 10 metres behind, gave him the ball to score the try. Classic stuff – Mike declined to trial for England on a couple of occasions. Amateur days how strange.
Wets my appetite for the World Cup this year regardless of how we do – I know our Australian boys will give it their all. Also really looking forward to some of the minnows games as I found them interesting when they were over here. The IRB should organise a plate competition and make it cheap to get in therefore more people watching the game.
Phil Coorey said | June 6th 2007 @ 8:09pm | Report comment
Wow, those tries from the early 80′s are amazing! My Dad was here as I read those and remembered them all.
I am sure there are some people who saw the amazing try that Jeff Wilson scored vs. The Australian Schoolboys in 1992 at Aussie Stadium. He ran straight through the team and scored the match winner. Showed amazing balance and power then as a preview to an amazing career.
6 months later, he hit a six to win a one day match vs. Australia in New Zealand off Craig McDermott, I think.
patrick said | June 7th 2007 @ 1:40am | Report comment
you kidding me It did look spectacluar, but that last pass was yard and half forward, but that is typical of union,sorry cant get excited about it