Watching Super Rugby Aotearoa highlights in the UK are regularly filled with Jordie Barrett satisfyingly nail 55 metre shots at goal with pure ease.
Given the uniqueness and high demand of a long-range boot, here are a few candidates who have serious claims to possess the largest kicking game in the world.
Jordie Barrett
His general form has been awesome of late and he cannot stop striking audacious shots at goal.
Scouring youtube, it seems his longest attempt is 63 metres against the Chiefs last year or a similar distance against the Jaguares before the pandemic.
His simple and smooth kicking technique is a sizeable factor in his ability to strike the ball with power and accuracy. He is the lone, long ranger that New Zealand will need to utilise and have needed for years, given Beauden Barrett’s inaccuracy from the tee, and the smaller but sharp boots of Richie Mo’unga and Damian McKenzie.
Reece Hodge
Agonisingly missed three long-range attempts that would’ve handed Dave Rennie four wins out of six in a debut season with a young, highly inexperienced squad.
The Wellington thunderbolt was perhaps the unluckiest, with the post upright saving a famous Wallabies win in Wellington. The third Argentina miss was more of a shocker but that does not shade the fact that Hodge has a big, levering kick on him that Australia have not fully utilised.
A 60-metre shot on Test debut showed and regularly nailing shots from 60 out for club and country means that Hodge’s boot will rarely be questioned on distance, but rather direction and ability to absorb pressure.
Reece Hodge (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Francois Steyn
Possibly has the most valid claim, given how many extra years he has on Hodge and Barrett, but spending time on the Highveld has undoubtedly led him to possessing a gargantuan kick – a recent 64-metre effort against the Lions shows at his age, he still has it.
His most iconic showing of his right foot is probably a monster drop-goal from 60 out against Clermont over a decade ago.
Elliot Daly
While his England form has been suspect recently, there is no doubt about his ability to whop a kick. His most memorable is probably from 2018 against South Africa in Johannesburg, with a 61-metre kick being made to look easy.
His all-round kicking game, versatility and monster boot ultimately deserved him a starting spot against New Zealand for the Lions. While hard for him to make this year’s on current form, but he definitely has the biggest kick in the home nations, perhaps something Warren Gatland will consider before his squad announcement in May.
Handre Pollard
No surprise to see another South African, but what’s impressive about Pollard is that he likely has the longest kicking range for a natural flyhalf, whereas the other players mentioned are only back-up or utility 10s.
His accurate goal kicking ultimately played a huge part in South Africa’s World Cup success, with a drop goal from 55 out against the All Blacks showcasing his ability.
Providing he is fit, don’t be surprised to see him and Steyn launch some rockets from 60 out to sink Warren Gatland’s men for every ill-disciplined Maro Itoje penalty ceded.
Doppo
Roar Rookie
Have a look at Paul Thorburn from Wales in 1986! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6tdn5IGJbs
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
https://worldrugbymuseum.blog/2019/01/07/the-longest-kick-in-rugby-football/ So who is believed to have kicked the longest goal in rugby history? Surprising though it may seem, none of the above players holds the record and nor does any other rugby international. That distinction is held by Ernie Cooper who, at the age of 17, kicked an 81-yard penalty goal to tie a match for his team, Bridlington School 1st XV, in the last minute against an Army XV on 19th January 1944. He took the kick from five yards in from the touchline and one yard outside his own 25-yard line. His kick cleared the crossbar comfortably and landed beyond the dead-ball line. In adult life, Ernie Cooper went on to play for Bridlington, Scarborough, Headingley and Roundhay (when he lived and worked in Leeds), Hull and East Riding and York Unicorns. A great servant to Yorkshire rugby, he played his final game in January 1990 at the age of 64. He went on to be President of Bridlington Rugby Club from 2005 to 2015 and he led the 1st XV out onto the field in 2013 when they contested the RFU Junior Vase Final at Twickenham. The Guinness Book of World Records credits him with the longest kick in rugby history and one of Ernie’s cherished possessions was a postcard from Jonny Wilkinson that read “It must have been one hell of a kick”.
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
I would love a retro round where leather balls were used to highlight that the modern kickers have technical advantages that were never meant to exist. While a long range kick can add tension and excitement to a close game, is the sport better with penalties being slotted from 60m out rather than teams attempting to score tries?
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Thanks Unders, good article. Roger Gould had a monster torpedo & I saw him slot a drop goal from 54m near touch once. I don't think he was much of a goal kicker off the tee. Did the occasional toe poke. Francois for me takes it.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Underrated player.. So naturally gifted..
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Absolutely correct.. Got an invite to NZ as a teenager… early career played hooker and was born in Bethlehem… The Free State version… Which Obviously explains him being so blessed with talent. :laughing:
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
IMO, Frans Steyne, but from the past, & barefooted, with the old ' pig skin' ball, Don B. Clarke, was known in training, to have kicked the 'pig' from goal line to goal line. Now that's what is called a kick.
Armchair Halfback
Roar Rookie
It's an excellent list you have Unders. Best measure is to get them all up to Murrayfield on a freezing cold January day. :laughing: Though he's not a goal kicker, Stuart Hogg may be one of the best out of hand kickers in cold conditions...
smoothy
Roar Rookie
I believe you are correct Ulrich - Murray Mexted's International Rugby Academy NZ!
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Don Clarke...he often was hitting a wet ball weighing about 10 kgs....seem to remember he was a toe kicker too.....before the "round the corner style came along.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Tupou...he can do anything..would love to see him knock one over from 50 m out.....drop goal ofc :happy:
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Francois Steyn in terms of distance would be my pick....saw him hit a huge drop, I think in France, a few years ago. That was impressive, as no stadium in France is anywhere near the altitude of Ellis Park or Loftus Versfeld....probably called something else these days. Longest kicker I ever saw in person was de Wet Ras of Orange Free State....that would have been 1970's. Longest touch kick I have seen was actually by the Zimbabwean cricketer Edo Brandes, when he was a schoolboy at Prince Edward in Harare. A diagonal from deep in his own 22 to the opposition corner red zone...probably close to 100 metres, with some ground roll at the end. That was a 2nd XV game. At top level, when Llanelli beat the All Blacks in 1972, by Phil Bennett.....would need to see it again, but was along one toucline from deep in his 22 to AB 22.
Ulrich
Roar Rookie
If I had to put money on a final between all the big booters, my money would go to Francois Steyn. He has incredible accuracy and incredible calm. Yes, he misses some, as they all do. He slots more than any in his position in my opinion. He is overall just an incredible footballer having played all backline positions bar 9. I’m not entirely certain, but I believe Frans went to NZ as a youngster and got some skills there as well. I’ll try to find the source, but AFAIK that helped his overall game – believe it was an old Youtube video of him.
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
Goalkickers.co.za results (with a minimum of 50 kicks and ranking graded on difficulty): Daly 3 Pollard 24 Steyn 29 Barrett 82 Hodge 201 Interesting with Hodge, as to be honest he has great distance but doesnt actually land many!!!
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
Great article. According to goalkickers.co.za Elliot Dally has the best results of those mentioned once difficulty is taken into account. Although I notice that they dont have this seasons super rugby au and Aotearoa up yet and Barrett has been in fine touch with his kicking this season
Unders
Roar Pro
Very true- but would you say that those factors are still most well dealt with with the players mentioned?
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Nah, it's the rushing defence that limits the distance. From a dead ball and no rush, lots of NFL kickers can nail them from 80 yards.
Rugby wizard
Guest
Gaffie Du Toit had a 70 metre range.
Ben
Guest
Don Clarke.........
Pinetree
Roar Rookie
It has to be Frans Steyn for accuracy and distance combined, easy choice for me, , From the past, Jon Preston from Wellington had a pretty impressive long boot with accuracy too!