Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Jerry Collins smashes Nathan Sharpe in 2003

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Jerry Collins smashes Nathan Sharpe in 2003

Hard hitting former All Black Jerry Collins is known for being somewhat of an enforcer, and has over the years put in a few famous tackles that have more often than not left the opposition lying on the floor in a heap of dizziness and discomfort.

Back in the 2003 World Cup Semi Final, when Australia stunned New Zealand by knocking them out the tournament with a 22-10 victory, the ferocious number 8 sent Wallaby lock Nathan Sharpe into la la land temporarily, with a hit that had viewers around the world cringing.

The high shot all but knocked Sharpe out. Collins was lucky to escape a visit to the sin-bin, instead, he got a stern lecture and telling off from referee Chris White, and added to his reputation as one of the hardest hitters in the game.

Timing, Sharpe lowering into the tackle maybe - there are a number of factors that could have accounted for the hit looking as bad as it did. One thing there is no disputing though is the impact, with Sharpe being knocked back hard from one of the hits of the tournament. He was also probably very lucky to avoid injury, as his and Collins body weight came down on his crumpled legs below.

Note: View a few more pics from the incident here.

yeeesh. Ouch. Collins was solid in his prime, right about then.

By Anonymous, at July 24, 2008 5:07 pm
he is a different kind of animal

By Anonymous, at July 24, 2008 5:15 pm
G'daaaaaamn Jerry iced ol Sharpie...lolol..by the way that in my view was totally legal.

By semperfimamba, at July 24, 2008 5:46 pm
high but not malicious, one hell of a hit, any chance of some film of his hit on charvis that knocker him sparko before Tana put him in the recovery position? would have been 2004 i think

By Unknown, at July 24, 2008 6:00 pm
yea i would say legal too, Collins comes in and a decent height, its sharpie who ducks a bit makes it look worse than it is

By Anonymous, at July 24, 2008 6:29 pm
yea, i think that was a little high but Sharpe definitely lowered into it.

By DMac, at July 24, 2008 6:41 pm
murder!

By Anonymous, at July 24, 2008 7:37 pm
The pint of Guinness as I like to think of him is one of the toughest in the business. Massive hit that but borderline legal when you get to see it on replay...

No malicious intent though I have to agree...these things happen in split seconds so you can't say he didn't try to wrap arms etc...Sharp came down and into it learning the hard way that you can't bounce a brick wall...haha!

By durrie, at July 24, 2008 7:54 pm
FUCK THAT!

By Anonymous, at July 24, 2008 8:58 pm
i dont think its the ref "greiffels hot mom"

think its a medic because hes wearing sort of rubber gloves..im not sure either, i mean, if he thought sharpe was in danger of falling over, holding his shirt was hardly going to help matters was it?

awesome hit, not malicious at all, just a bit unfortunate

By Anonymous, at July 24, 2008 9:00 pm
I appreciate that collins has moved to france, but why is everyone talking like hes retired from Rugby for good?he's only what 28?!surely theres more to come........watch this space. Look out france top 14.

By Anonymous, at July 24, 2008 10:49 pm
i thought he was ALWAYS a flanker...

By meatyq, at July 24, 2008 10:59 pm
Good to see that my hot mom and hot sister know so much about rugby. Impressive. Pity those comments are a bit of a waste and get deleted. Oh well.

By Anonymous, at July 24, 2008 11:45 pm
QK, he played number 8 on a few occasions when needed. This being one I guess.

Great hit, legal or otherwise.

By Anonymous, at July 24, 2008 11:46 pm
Auch...If a pro. Ruger is stoped solid with one of those hits...
Imagine your average Joe.

By Anonymous, at July 24, 2008 11:57 pm
disgusting foul play, people go on about Collins's tackles but they're always borderline high or armless

By Anonymous, at July 25, 2008 5:19 am
i dont see how this can add to collin's reputation. it doesnt seem malicious, but i cant see it being something collins is proud of. flatley converted the penalty further opening up the gap in a game they were suppose to win. is there anyway we can see some more clips from this match?

By Anonymous, at July 25, 2008 6:22 am
Yeah Sharpe bent down into that tackle so it's no fault of Jerrys he just hammered him. Jerry playing no.8 damn he was a monster back then but he's got smaller but more athletic now.

By Anonymous, at July 25, 2008 8:29 am
in the words of ET, 'ouch'

By boomshanka, at July 25, 2008 8:57 am
I don't think it has to do with the level Sharpe is coming in.... oterhwise most scrum-halfs would never get high-tackles ;P
Then again, seeing Collins's height, the guy is still at 6' when he's bending his knees !!
Not malicious though....

By jay, at July 25, 2008 11:57 am
Was not a great tackle. now he would have been warming the bench for 10 min. Also, Collins played 8 for a good while because Reuben Thorne was playing 6 and the captain. 6 and 8 aren't that different really, many 8 have played 6 and visa versa.

By Anonymous, at July 25, 2008 2:10 pm
Very lucky of him to not get any knee injuries after the hit

By Anonymous, at July 28, 2008 5:49 am
Collins was clearly trying to get his arms around Sharpe. It is also obvious that Sharpe lowered his body just before the tackle, making it look high.
But gee wiz what a player, Collins is!

By Anonymous, at August 06, 2008 4:51 pm