Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Prop Matt Mullan's sensational try saver on James Hook

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Prop Matt Mullan's sensational try saver on James Hook

The Ospreys put in a more convincing effort this past weekend as they clinched a crucial home victory over the Worcester Warriors at the Liberty Stadium. The four tries to one, 37-22 win puts themselves in reach for the EF Energy Cup semi finals.

Gavin Henson scored a nice try for the home side, but one of the moments of the match, and perhaps even the season, came from an unlikely source that is better known for the grunt work up front.

As the Ospreys threw it around, flyhalf James Hook found himself in space down the right wing, with what looked to be a fairly regulation canter down field for another try.

Young English prop Matt Mullan had other ideas though as he sprinted all of 50 yards to ultimately chase down and tackle Hook into touch. The covering forced Hook into tough, denying him the try, and made those at the ground and those watching live, stand up and take notice.

It was of Josh Lewsey on Jean De Villiers proportions, perhaps even better.

"That was a fantastic effort," said his coach, Mike Ruddock.

"I had a text message from an old front-row acquaintance of mine after the game, asking who the hell Matt Mullan might be. As a matter of fact, we've been talking about Matt as a potential England prop for some time now.

“He's scrummaged well against Matt Stevens and Phil Vickery, and he is able to do so much more about the field, he is phenomenal. It was a fantastic effort. He made 18 tackles for us in a recent game. Not all of them like that one, mind you."

Time: 02:53
Note: This footage includes a nice try scored by Sam Tuitupou too, and then shows the Mullan try-saver. We'll try get a cleaner version soon if possible.

That boy has absolute wheels. What a tackle. Definately a classic.

By Anonymous, at October 29, 2008 1:49 am
this guy is definite england material for the future, been playing well for the warriors since last season.
good scrummager, awesome round the park, and can play hooker aswel :D
yet another academy product.
any chance of gettin miles benjamins trys gainst bath last year?
they were awesome

By Anonymous, at October 29, 2008 2:15 am
goes to show what the new age prop can do, it's becoming an increasing demand for "front row fatties" to be able to move around the park, and here is a prime example of a prop who can move.

By Anonymous, at October 29, 2008 3:25 am
"thats a loosehead prop!"

:)

By Anonymous, at October 29, 2008 4:37 am
haha that was great! who says front rowers cant run

By Anonymous, at October 29, 2008 6:38 am
Not wanting to take anything aay from Matt mullan but hook did seem quite slow especially considering he plays at fly half but great tackle. Still not as good as lewsey's on de villiers but i guess thats wat fullbacks are for

By Anonymous, at October 29, 2008 7:37 am
This also reminds me of Malcolm O'Kelly's try saving tackle against England in Twickenham in 2004. Any chance of getting that up?

By Anonymous, at October 29, 2008 9:47 am
Good to see George Gregan is keeping busy with a spot of refereeing.

By Anonymous, at October 29, 2008 10:05 am
That actually happend to me yesterday at training. Exact same thing, playing as 10, got caught by the prop. never felt so, I dont know, humiliated might be the word im looking for. So wonder how Hook feels now...

By Anonymous, at October 29, 2008 12:24 pm
^ lol. At least yours wasn't filmed and shared with the world mate.

I bet Hook has taken a fair ribbing for that.

By Anonymous, at October 29, 2008 1:07 pm
AWESOME TACKLE!
But why did the ref have to go to a video ref on both occasions when it was clear that the first was a try n the second wasnt! If this guy cant make the calls with confidence then he shouldnt be reffing at this level! I accept video ref is needed for close calls but refs are wasting so much time with obivious decisions.

By Anonymous, at October 29, 2008 1:41 pm
was that try by Sam Tuitupou?? or has Adi Jacobs sneaked off to europe?? :P

anywho, how quick is that prop!!!

By Anonymous, at October 29, 2008 3:13 pm
fatties rule!!

By Stu Pidasso, at October 29, 2008 3:28 pm
hook got cocky and slowed down
one of the best tackles ive ever seen though

By Anonymous, at October 29, 2008 4:01 pm
Been waiting for this to come on, as soon as i saw it on tv i knew it'd come up on the site. Great tackle, there's no way hook would have slowed down cos he could see him coming, that's pretty embarrassing.

By Anonymous, at October 29, 2008 5:00 pm
PROP POWER!!!!!!!

By Anonymous, at October 29, 2008 6:20 pm
....

almost as much gas as Ben May ;)

By Anonymous, at October 29, 2008 7:07 pm
'front row fatties' do get alot of crap from players and fans alike (myself included) i must say tho that recently my club has been down on numbers and on top of first XV duties at 8 ive had to step in at second and actually last week at prop...

gentleman my hats off to you...scrumming down drains anyone let alone having the weight to haul around as well...

By Anonymous, at October 29, 2008 8:07 pm
hhaha the way he says that "he had no right to do that" ahahhaha

By Anonymous, at October 29, 2008 11:14 pm
He is from my small town of Bromsgrove, as is Jordan Crane, I have played with his brother and his dad coaches the local public school rugby team. he is one for the future

By Anonymous, at October 29, 2008 11:42 pm
damn... will66 already got the Gregan comment in

By boomshanka, at October 30, 2008 1:05 am
Great tackle by the fattie.

By Don, at October 30, 2008 1:36 am
that referees jerseys has got to be the ugliest ever to be seen on a rugby pitch! and I havent forgotten about paris... on-t: great reward for not giving up! thats tha rugby spirit!

By Anonymous, at October 30, 2008 2:49 am
yet to see, the magnific try scored by gavin henson and the spear tackle also made in this game.

By Anonymous, at October 30, 2008 7:50 pm
Growing up playing gridiron, this is what I love about rugby.

Every player (1-15) ultimately has the chance to exhibits all aspects of rugby skill.

Any prop has a chance to take a corner-flag angle and make a try-saving tackle? Gridiron's roles are so regimented, nothing like this ever happens.

And this video is every rugby coaches' dream for schoolboys -- every defender hustles and chases; every player with the ball must respect their opposition and not assume anything.

By Cheyanquí, at November 02, 2008 8:42 pm