Here's hoping we see another drop of magic
The Rugby Paper|April 07, 2024
IT'S Northampton against Munster in Europe today and for me that can only mean one thing, revisiting one more time that incredible drop goal from Ronan O'Gara nearly four minutes into added time to win an extraordinary Pool at Thomond Park 13 years ago.
Here's hoping we see another drop of magic

The 41 phases that preceded the coup de grace have gone down in Munster folklore but remain a festering wound for Saints supporters, with very good reason when you revisit the footage.

That's not to say Munster weren't incredibly disciplined, focused, patient and skilled as they inched their way up field into a strong wind to get near enough for ROG to kick for glory. And indeed Saints were equally disciplined and focused in the tackle and, save for once occasion, observing the offside line.

It seemed then, and time has only strengthened my conviction, nearly six minutes of continuous textbook rugby under the most intense pressure and scrutiny.

It all started with 77.03 on the match clock with a Munster scrum about 45 yards out. The men in red had only ever lost once at home in Europe at this stage, against Leicester, but time was running out with them trailing 21-20 against an in-form Saints.

Tomas O'Leary fed the ball into the second row causing co commentator Dewi Morris to have a minor sense of humour failure. To paraphrase: That was bloody ridiculous and if you were that crooked with a lineout throw it would automatically be blown. But no it was a reset, not a penalty. Having not pinged crooked feeds all night, referee Nigel Owens wasn't suddenly going to have a Damascus moment with less than three minutes left. Fair enough. You set the gold standard early in the game and don't deviate. Consistency is what players crave.

But then came the reset and a monumental, brutal, brilliant, synchronised, shunt for the ages from the formidable Saints eight which cracked the Munster front row like dropped porcelain, sent hooker Damien Varley into orbit and had Munster wheeling around out of control. Routed, defeated, humiliated.

この蚘事は The Rugby Paper の April 07, 2024 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

この蚘事は The Rugby Paper の April 07, 2024 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

THE RUGBY PAPERのその他の蚘事すべお衚瀺
England can find a little bit of cheer
The Rugby Paper

England can find a little bit of cheer

SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.

time-read
3 分  |
November 24, 2024
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
The Rugby Paper

Stop messing with Marcus - Campese

DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.

time-read
2 分  |
November 24, 2024
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
The Rugby Paper

Being a Lion was the highlight of my career

I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.

time-read
6 分  |
November 24, 2024
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
The Rugby Paper

Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half

THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.

time-read
2 分  |
November 24, 2024
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
The Rugby Paper

Forwards pack a punch for the Reds

OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.

time-read
2 分  |
November 24, 2024
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
The Rugby Paper

Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley

SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.

time-read
2 分  |
November 24, 2024
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
The Rugby Paper

Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon

FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.

time-read
3 分  |
November 24, 2024
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
The Rugby Paper

It's a whole new ball game for Rigg

WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.

time-read
2 分  |
November 24, 2024
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
The Rugby Paper

Scarratt leads the way for Lightning

LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
The Rugby Paper

Becconsall: We need to release pressure

WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.

time-read
2 分  |
November 24, 2024