World Rugby has today revealed their four-man shortlist for try of the year – with two All Blacks players on their list for scores against Australia.
The accolade, which has been awarded since 2007, will fall to either Ireland’s CJ Stander, Scotland’s Scott Maitland, Beauden Barrett or Brodie Retallick – both of New Zealand, at the World Rugby Awards on November 25.
Stander was nominated for his physical effort against England, where he pulled two defenders along with him for almost ten metres to score a try that put Ireland up 14-0 in their 24-15 Six Nations victory.
Maitland’s try, which put Scotland up 17-6 in their victory over England, came after a barnstorming run by Stuart McInally, before he received a brilliant pass from Finn Russell near the touchline on the very next phase to cross.
But it’s the two New Zealand nominations that will have Australian fans taking an unwanted trip down memory lane, after both Barrett and Retallick were nominated for crossing the line in Bledisloe cup matches.
Barrett finished off a beautiful chain of passes as the All Blacks went coast-to-coast with ease on the Wallabies in the second Bledisloe game, while it was a very slick dummy by Retallick in Bledisloe 1 that saw him make the list.
Should Barrett triumph, he’ll be the first ever player to win the try of the year award twice, after he picked up the award in 2013 for a highlight reel effort against France.
If either All Blacks player receives the award, it will be the third time a New Zealand player has won. That would move them into equal first alongside South Africa, however, Ireland will be able to do the same should Stander win the award.
Scotland have never won it.
On the flip side of the coin, an All Blacks victory would see Australia move into equal first (interestingly, alongside the All Blacks) for having the try of the year scored against them three times.
Australia last won the award in 2011, when Radike Samo was commended for his thrilling score against the Kiwis.
dcnz
Guest
NZ fan here. Dyantyi's try in the corner vs NZ in Wellington and anything from Delguy, or maybe Boffelli. sorry this list is klop as the Saffas would say.
Ethan
Guest
I'm with you, quite underwhelming. The second ab try was impressive, but mostly terrible Aus defence. All Brodie did was throw a dummy to bad Aus defence. Ireland was a nice set play move that looked a little to easy. Scotland's try, while well executed, is the kind the abs score in their sleep.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Good to see da Wallaby bringing out the very best in the almighty ABs ;)
HenryHoneyBalls
Roar Rookie
For me Maitland's try was the standout try of the year. Beautiful Hollywood pass from Finn Russell to get the move going, lovely break from Huw Jones, followed by nice run from McInally and finished off with a lovely lofted pass to finish the move. End to end move, flawless execution tops the bill for me.
Harry Jones
Expert
Probably a difficult task to choose just a few, but for some reason these seem a bit underwhelming, this year, given the fantastic tries I THOUGHT I remembered from the tests. Would've expected to see one of Dyantyi's tries, too.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Foley looked pretty happy to have been sold the dummy he did not want tackle the guzzler.
The Slow Eater
Roar Rookie
Is this just international games. Otherwise TJs try where he dove and got an intercept over the try line against I think the Brumbies would be my vote
piru
Roar Rookie
Oh yes I'd forgotten about that one, definitely should be on the list
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Agree. The Bok wingers have also put on some crackers. Brodie try just our poor defense. The Maitland try shouldn't be on the list either. Scotland themselves have scored better tries than that this yr
Lukas
Roar Pro
I would have thought the Argie wingers try against the ABs would have got in there actually, cracking stuff.
Jacko
Guest
i loved BRs effort. that dummy from a lock was magic. He seems to have a few trys turned over because of others mistakes before he gets the ball so it would be fitting for him....
piru
Roar Rookie
Gotta go to Beaudy's surely? Note Retallick won the turnover on that one to set them going too.
Mel R
Roar Rookie
"On the flip side of the coin, an All Blacks victory would see Australia move into equal first (interestingly, alongside the All Blacks) for having the try of the year scored against them three times. Australia last won the award in 2011, when Radike Samo was commended for his thrilling score against the Kiwis." and so the humiliation of the Wallaby supporter continues :)...........