Big forwards slotting drop goals unexpectedly
Since rugby became professional back in 1995 there have been numerous radical changes to the game. The demands of the modern game require that all players are now bigger, stronger, faster, and fitter than ever before.
Another change to the game has been the fact that all players are now expected to be able to catch, pass, and make decisions with ball in hand. Forwards in the backline isn't encouraged, but when it happens, they're skilful enough to slot in seamlessly, or they're meant to be anyway.
Overall, the skill level has increased dramatically. So much so that on occasion forwards have taken it upon themselves to have a go at polls with a drop kick. Zinzan Brooke famously did it against England in the '95 World Cup, and since then there have been a few who've had a go.
Here we see talented Bob Skinstad have a crack at a simple one from straight in front. Ex Chiefs captain, stalwart Johnno Gibbs slotted a pretty flat looking kick against the Cats a few years back. And then, who could forget Mat Dunnings masterpiece.
We've featured it on Rugbydump before, but thought we couldn't leave it out of this, because it's just classic. Read the full story behind this moment of brilliance that was actually a moment of stupidity here.
There are probably a few others out there, but these are some of the better ones we've come across.
Another change to the game has been the fact that all players are now expected to be able to catch, pass, and make decisions with ball in hand. Forwards in the backline isn't encouraged, but when it happens, they're skilful enough to slot in seamlessly, or they're meant to be anyway.
Overall, the skill level has increased dramatically. So much so that on occasion forwards have taken it upon themselves to have a go at polls with a drop kick. Zinzan Brooke famously did it against England in the '95 World Cup, and since then there have been a few who've had a go.
Here we see talented Bob Skinstad have a crack at a simple one from straight in front. Ex Chiefs captain, stalwart Johnno Gibbs slotted a pretty flat looking kick against the Cats a few years back. And then, who could forget Mat Dunnings masterpiece.
We've featured it on Rugbydump before, but thought we couldn't leave it out of this, because it's just classic. Read the full story behind this moment of brilliance that was actually a moment of stupidity here.
There are probably a few others out there, but these are some of the better ones we've come across.
Share | Tweet |
18 Comments:
YAY
FIRST COMMENT!
LOL iwas born in 1995 :)
13 yrs old bishes mwahahahahah
-Liam
By Anonymous, at February 06, 2008 9:45 am
You need to find Zinzan Brooke's droppie against England in the '95 World Cup semi final.
A finer drop goal from a forward you will not see.
By Anonymous, at February 06, 2008 11:04 am
Isn't there one from Simon Shaw in the Guinness Premiership?
By Anonymous, at February 06, 2008 2:25 pm
Lawrence Dallaglio popped one over against Leeds in the Premiership in 2004 - he had injured his ribs, and said afterwards that he just didn't want to get hit when the ball got passed to him. It was a hell of a kick too, from the Leeds 10m line close by the right touchline. Classic.
By Anonymous, at February 06, 2008 4:30 pm
Didn't Keith wood score one for Ireland too ?
By Anonymous, at February 06, 2008 5:27 pm
Keith Wood took a shot at a drop goal in one of the 2001 Lions tests. It didn't quite have the distance, but it was a great effort.
By Zé Cacetudo, at February 06, 2008 6:36 pm
About the only thing Dunning does better than his opposite number...
By Anonymous, at February 06, 2008 11:04 pm
Even Parisse has meda a good drop goal (whit Paris)
By Anonymous, at March 09, 2008 8:33 pm
meda=made
sorry!!!!
By Anonymous, at March 09, 2008 8:34 pm
Martyn Williams dropped one against Tonga in the 2003 World Cup. It was quite an important one, altho probably quite a simple one. I seem to remember it being off the back of a scrum.
By Anonymous, at March 29, 2008 6:13 pm
I've seen Keith Wood drop one whilst playing for quins. The bloke knew how to kick a ball alright.
By Anonymous, at April 09, 2008 4:35 pm
I'll never forget that keith Wood kick from inside the irish 22 vs France.He smacked it and it bounced into touch 5 metres from the French line.Ireland won France's lineout and scored a try.It was the quarter final of WC 2003 where we got hammered, so it was really just a consolation.
By Anonymous, at June 18, 2008 12:39 pm
The Simon Shaw one was in the then Zurich Premiership against Bath at Loftus Road (in August 2000 if memory recalls). It was the second best thing that happened that day (the best thing was Wasps losing 12-36).
Just found this report from BBC: 'Simon Shaw summed up Wasps' afternoon when he kicked a last-minute drop goal, blissfully ignoring three players outside him as a try looked on the cards.'
By Anonymous, at June 18, 2008 4:49 pm
Hugh vyvyan dropped a beaut
By Anonymous, at June 20, 2008 12:44 am
The diificult thing about Dunnings' drop goal was that he kicked it being on the left hand side of the pitch and quite far from the posts. I appreciated also the style after he kicked it, nice!
By Anonymous, at July 16, 2008 2:56 pm
Keith Wood was an out-half as a kid
By Anonymous, at August 29, 2009 4:06 pm
This link seems to be dead. Can someone find the video?
By Anonymous, at June 23, 2011 9:38 am
No Keith Wood? tut tut
By Anonymous, at August 30, 2011 5:40 pm
Post a Comment
<< Home