Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: IRPA Try of the Year

Monday, December 07, 2009

IRPA Try of the Year - The 15 Contenders

The IRB, in conjunction with the International Rugby Players Association (IRPA), has announced the contenders for the IRPA Try of the Year 2009.

The list comprises tries from three June internationals, three November internationals, three from the British & Irish Lions series, three Tri Nations, and three from the Six Nations.

France and New Zealand feature with three tries each, while Shane Williams is the only player on the list to have two tries featured, one for Wales and one for the British & Irish Lions.

Last year Brian O’Driscoll won the Inaugral IRPA Try of the Year Award with the great try he scored against Australia, but for the first time this year, it’s the public who will vote to determine the winner.

"The IRPA Try of the Year is a hugely anticipated Award. Fans have an opportunity to vote for players representing eight nations, plus the British & Irish Lions, and I am sure the vote will be close," said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

All you need to do is send an email to votetry@irb.com with the number of the try you think should win. You can vote until December 31, with the winner being announced in early January 2010.

Fifteen tries is a lot to cram into one video, so we've split it over two so replays are included, giving you a good overall idea of which you should vote for.

Tries 1-10

Tries 11-15

Awesome - thanks RD.

Ross, Heaslip, Clerc and Fourie were all excellent. Difficult to decide really. Public vote is a nice idea.

By Scotsdale, at December 07, 2009 4:08 pm
would go with heymans for individual brilliance but those team-tries by france are class as well

By sebastian, at December 07, 2009 4:27 pm
Shane williams try for the lions, when riki flutey taps it back inside after his chip.
Pure, instinctive class, really shows the skill some of the internationals have, it reminds me of a clip i saw the other day, despite not being a league fan i admire it all the same, go take a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk-H_T6drqg&feature=PlayList&p=71D5A016EF605DA8&index=7

By Canadianscrumhalf, at December 07, 2009 4:33 pm
I agree with Canada it was really an amazing try, but I did also like haymans try not to many people has left 3 all black defenders just laying on the ground, so have to go for haymans

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 4:43 pm
Gotta be Heymans honestly

By Shark Attack, at December 07, 2009 4:44 pm
I think Harinordoquy's against Ireland, and Heaslip's against France were the best, and Clerc's against SA and the Russian's were very good as well.

I actually thought some of them though were quite poor. For example, Comacho's, I thought the guy kicked the ball at the end, because it was so far forward I didn't think it could possibly have been a pass.
And Shane Williams against Argentina, it should have been a penalty first of all to Argentina, and then he just ran through a massive gap. What's so impressive about that?

There were a few good All Blacks tries as well actually.

By Kearney for tests, at December 07, 2009 4:44 pm
Heymans's is absolutely quality, could watch that all day.

By The Inside Shoulder, at December 07, 2009 4:45 pm
And I think a public vote is a bit silly. It'll probably end up going to whatever country sends the biggest amount of emails.

By Kearney for tests, at December 07, 2009 4:46 pm
the best try is the one from cedric heymans

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 4:54 pm
Ronan O'Gara showing his superb tackling abilities missing everything as usual. Why didnt he play for the soccer team?

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 4:56 pm
Imanol Harinordoquy for best team try, Cedric Heymans for individual try.

Good NZ tries too!

By Portugal, at December 07, 2009 5:02 pm
Heymans...I watched that try live and I couldnt believe what i'd just seen. tears one of the best defensive teams in the world apart

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 5:14 pm
Like many here I also vote for Heyman's.. The best individual skills for sure...

The one from Imanol is a good example of french flair so it is a strong contender for the team try, but the last one from NZ is really brilliant.. From their 22, they just pushed France back in the mediterranean see...

About the public vote, I just hope English countries (mainly represented in rugby) will forgot their hatred for France and vote for Heyman...

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 5:20 pm
Heymans is the best.

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 5:30 pm
heymans for best individual try along with the flutey-williams one with the lions!
harinordoquy's one for best team try
I'm trying to be objective but it doesn't seem so hahaha only French tries!

By kevdetoulouse, at December 07, 2009 5:30 pm
As an Englishman (with a grand total of no tries nominated) I hope I can be relatively impartial here.

I reckon you need a combination of individual skill and teamwork for the very best tries (think of Baa Baas in 73). On that basis I would say Heaslip's or Harinodoquy's.

But Heyman's just blows me away: incredible try.

Incidentally I think the quality of the opposition has to come into account as well and that discounts Argentina's try, Williams' against Aregentina and the Russian try. That's what makes Heyman's so good, those are ABs trailing in his wake...

By Ted, at December 07, 2009 5:34 pm
Oh and to the French anonymous poster three or four above, I don't think the English speaking countries hate France at all. If you look at the French compilations on this site you'll just find loads of people praising French rugby. I'm English for heaven's sake and I love French rugby (just so long as we aren't playing you obviously).

By Ted, at December 07, 2009 5:42 pm
Ted you're a great guy. I'd go for harinordoquy myself as almost everyone in the team touches the ball.
Heymans and Williams-Flutey come very close though

By Oli, at December 07, 2009 5:54 pm
got to be mr heymans great try shear class

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 5:56 pm
No one else think the Russian one wasnt too bad?

If the All Blacks scored it, it would get a lot more publicity.

All decent tries their from individual tries to team tries using forwards and backs.

By Bod Almighty, at December 07, 2009 6:09 pm
the russian try included a forward pass in it, also it seemed there was some suspect tackling.

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 6:23 pm
heymans i think
but williams lions try was quality aswell i was going crazy in the pub watching that
brilliant vidio RD

By geordie, at December 07, 2009 6:27 pm
1st: Jaque Fourie
2nd: Nonu
3rd: Harinordoquy

honourably mention: Heymans

By Cheis, at December 07, 2009 6:27 pm
Cheis - on what basis?

By Ted, at December 07, 2009 6:32 pm
I am french so maybe one eyed, heymans and harinordoquy for the same reasons but I think Ross's is really nice, quick passing and very good offloads. Ma'a Nonu is doing the hell of a job for the ABs on my opinion

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 6:44 pm
Heymans has to be the best, He just showed what a Winger should do in that 5 meters. Brilliant to watch.

Fourie-His try changed the momentum of that match and tour,and he showed great strength, Dropped that guy like a leaf.

By WGMDelko., at December 07, 2009 6:55 pm
IMO there's no doubt that heymans try againsst the ABs was the best of the year....

By themull, at December 07, 2009 7:02 pm
Heaslip and Heymans! Some of the rest were a bit poor and why does the try of the year have to international level? Heaslip for a brilliant team try, heymans for individual brilliance!

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 7:14 pm
@ Ted

1, fourie, not only for the way he finishes but also the moment in the match and tour.. was a huge moment, the determination, the will, beautifull

2: nonu first built up and then gave support, awesome the way he followed his own pass to support sivivatu

3: great team try, had everything in it: grubber, from left to right to left again, whole team and whole pitch involved.. awesome team try

Honourable mention to the great feet by heymans, who doesn't always looks like the quickest wing on his feet (like shane williams, sivivatu or habana) but showed what a great wing he is...

nuff said? ;)

By Cheis, at December 07, 2009 7:20 pm
Has to be Cedric Heymans' effort. I'd seen pretty much all the tries in both the montages beforehand but his was the one I could I remember without having to watch the videos. An absolutely stunning individual. For this Englishman at least, its one of the best ever.

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 7:20 pm
Depends on what we're looking for...
As a team effort Imanol's try superb (half the team touches the ball...quick hands, good kick etc...)
Now indvidually, Fourie for his strength and power as he is on the sideline and Heymans for his quickness... then again I'm french ;P

As for the russian try, not the same pace, a n°6 running 30 meters out of a scrum, a forward pass...

By jay, at December 07, 2009 7:21 pm
3rd was Harinordoquy ;)

By Cheis, at December 07, 2009 7:21 pm
Heymans, Heaslip, Harinordoquy

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 7:23 pm
Harinordoquy's try is a sublime team inspiration, and i love the Nonu one in the same style : these two tries were fluent and technically perfect.

It's great that IRB propose a "small team" try, it was beautiful too but the opposition is not the same.

btw i agree with the majority, Heymans's was awesome : he left 4 defenders by his own talent. This player is like that : he can be ordinary and the following week he scores a incredibly solo effort. If you have never heard of this one (clermont-toulouse 2007), enjoy : http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4x5r3_asm-toulouse-essai-heymans_sport

for me :
1.Harinordoquy
2.Nonu
3.Heymans
4.Heaslip

By 3/4 centre, at December 07, 2009 7:31 pm
Fourie and Clerc ^^

By guetteba, at December 07, 2009 7:32 pm
Cheis - fair enough mate, the only trouble is that if we're including how 'important' a try was in the context of the game/series then it will be very subjective.

I think Fourie's was a great try and it was undoubtedly important - but I reckon Saffers will think it more important than most others (I'm assuming you're a Saffer yourself here - apologies if you're not)

By Ted, at December 07, 2009 7:33 pm
Heymans by an absolute mile.

By Will Topps, at December 07, 2009 7:34 pm
3/4 centre linked to a brilliant Heymans try vs Clermont - it's on the site here btw

By Greiffel, at December 07, 2009 7:36 pm
Fourie has to win it. Great team try, individual strength + it was the most important in terms of results

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 8:15 pm
Great picks RD. plenty of great tries. I though Habana might have got in especially after the baa baa's game. I find it funny that after a season of supposedly poor rugby and a lack of tries that are 15 great tries to pick from.mmmmm food for thought perhaps?!

By KiwiEire, at December 07, 2009 8:22 pm
Cedric Heymans for me. But the AB's counterattack try against the French was awesome. Always like the Lee Byrne try against France.

By Abbyno7, at December 07, 2009 8:24 pm
and why is habanna not int his, oh yea i forgot, cuase he rapes all of these guys!

By Adangerouskid, at December 07, 2009 8:49 pm
Doesn't it really feel like the 90's to email your vote!? It's 2009 for christ sake, i'd expect something more modern...

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 8:50 pm
All beautiful...but 4 and 5 stand out.

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 8:57 pm
Hayman's try is the best. You would never get bored of watching it. There used to be an awesome compilation of him on this site with an equally good try for Stade Tolousain

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 9:03 pm
Nonu's try was awesome. Flutey skills wicked. Russian try finnished by great fly-half running line. harinodiquay great team effort. Too many options, but have to go with nonu's try. Really exciting try for me! No doubt if it goes to public vots though, it will go to a kiwi try!!!!

By Alexander, at December 07, 2009 9:07 pm
heymans try for me

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 9:32 pm
I'd go from the same as 3/4 centre. Harinordoquy's try is by far the most superb team try of the year (despite the *somewhat* forward pass in the end). Now THAT is french flair. Nonu's one is quality, especially Sivivatu's pass and the great suport play by Nonu. Heymans' one is a wonderful solo effort, beautiful steps, and Heaslip's is nice for the teamwork and last step (by a n°8 !).

This vote is a nice idea, but it indeed feels kinda odd to mail the result. Come on, even I could make a simple webpage that would do the trick.

By Nathan, at December 07, 2009 9:35 pm
Jaque fourie and heymans were the best. They put some very average tries on the list and missed out many good ones I think eg. The boks third try vs Italy by fourie du preez

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 10:01 pm
Yeah, the IRB are a bit slow apparently. They also had links to 15 separate vids on YT in pretty poor quality. A bit strange, but it's a nice idea nonetheless.

That Muliaina try was superb btw. Classic AB counter-attack.

Looks like Heymans might get the vote though..

By Greiffel, at December 07, 2009 10:02 pm
jaysus some shocking tackling from o gara!! dunno why shane williams' one against argentina was there surely there was a better try than that??

By BODisgod, at December 07, 2009 10:08 pm
I agree that Williams v Argentina won't win it, but even though I'm not his biggest fan, it was great vision and speed to score.

Solo effort has to be Heymens, remember getting up early to watch it (8.00am in Ire), but this made it worth it. Repeating it on slow mo' trying to see if he touched the sideline, brilliant.

In a year of incessant kicking, it was nice to remember some of those team tries, but the French one against Ire was pretty sweet in retrospect. I probably wouldn't be saying that had Ireland lost the game. This post would just revolve around the missed forward pass at the end.

I suppose the result will probably be hijacked by whichever country takes notice. Usually in this case, it'll be Ireland and Heaslip's. Great try, but not the best team try this year.

By Huh!! the 3rd, at December 07, 2009 10:27 pm
Heymans try is excellent but I've got to be honest I think Lee Byrne's try is the best!

It comes from set piece ball, and we know how difficult it is to score from that - it was classic, simple rugby and that is why it looks so good, a couple of passes a centre running straight forwards hit a ruck and the full back hits the perfect line and goes in untouched - poetry!

By Unknown, at December 07, 2009 10:44 pm
Heymans. I thought Barnes was good too though not as spectacular as Heymans.

By Mou Titty Mou, at December 07, 2009 10:45 pm
heymans or the russians although its harder to tell with the russian as its a different class

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 10:49 pm
i gotta love kearneys dummy made the fullback look like such an eejit

Harinordaquey or heymans should win i dont mind as long as its either

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 10:52 pm
Heaslip's is the best one.

He is a fucking 8 and he looked as if he were shane williams

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 10:52 pm
Any fan that doesn't even give a mention to Jaque Fourie's try was obviously a Lions supporter. Pathetic.

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 10:53 pm
Heaslip, all of the All Blacks tries, France showing some class, Flutey's tap back was class but fortunate it went to hand but Cedric Heymans My go the man is a legend!!

By Conor, at December 07, 2009 10:55 pm
The thing that tempers Heymans's try for me, is that aside from Dupuy's pass off the scrum, I think every other pass was forward.

By Kearney for tests, at December 07, 2009 10:57 pm
heymans was best, most exciting, most skill...

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 10:59 pm
clerc all the way!

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 11:04 pm
:p

By No.7, at December 07, 2009 11:04 pm
i find it amusing Fourie is so desperate to win the try he's posting on this site under an anonymous name.

the reason most people aren't voting for it is because it isn't the best try!

By Unknown, at December 07, 2009 11:10 pm
Only decent try was the rikki flutey + Shane Williams one, i mean i think they should put some club rugby tries in there aswell, that way it could be good rather than crap

By Eddingtonsons, at December 07, 2009 11:20 pm
Maximus, I assume you have some sort of retardation?

No one in the world would have been able to score that try in those circumstances. We aren't talking about the usual club defense, we're talking about the BIL desperately trying to hang onto their lead to even the series. But no, JAQUE FOURIE disagreed with them. Wonderful try.

Easily the best try out of all these. Is it a rule that there must be atleast 2-3 All Black tries? Sickening.

3-0

By Roth, at December 07, 2009 11:39 pm
1 - Heymans
2 - harinordoquay
3 - Heaslip

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 11:56 pm
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 12:02 am
I actually thought that Habana's try was the best try by the Saffas from the 2nd test against the Lions. Nice move down the right to put Fourie away but O'Gara's attempt to tackle was pathetic. The Habana one might have just been a simple pop-off from Du Preez, but he just roared up the centre of the park at top speed coming off his wing, great individual try which I appreciated.

The Heymans' try was pretty special given the slick passing down the backline to put him into a touch of space and after that it's all him. Such a talent that perhaps doesn't always get a chance to excel against the Southern Hemisphere nations.

Some really really good tries in this compilation though most of all, thanks Rugby Dump.

By John F, at December 08, 2009 12:03 am
Heymans.

End of.

Not that it really matters as the voting for this award will probably descend into a partisan vote-fest with people voting for the players from their own country.

Then again who cares, as the award is pretty meaningless!

By Bamberio, at December 08, 2009 12:03 am
Bamberio,

As you say the Heymans' try is really the standout one.

Having said that though picking one out of these is fun but ultimately pointless. Even amongst the wind-up merchants who like to rib each other on this site, I think most people can appreciate that these are all really good, irrelevant of what country you come from. I enjoyed all of them.

By John F, at December 08, 2009 12:16 am
What a gay list. The Springboks won the team of the year award yet they only have one try nominated? please.

Once again, this demonstrates how much the IRB hate the Boks.

Oh well, we get Clint Eastwood to make a nice Hollywood film for us, the world will see who the real winners are.

By Kino, at December 08, 2009 12:37 am
Heymans for me, that try was majestic.

That said, frankly think they should have two categories. Individual and team try. Great compilation though. Love the Nonu and Muliaina tries for the handling and timing though.

By Tony Hart, at December 08, 2009 12:58 am
Gotta be Cedric Heymans! it's just so aesthetically pleasing :D
individual brilliance that embarasses the all blacks! love it

By Number9, at December 08, 2009 1:07 am
Kino, you're a disgrace to our country.
Luckily I know many good South African people or I might think you're all one-eyed simpletons after what you've said.

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 1:22 am
Tough call. Maybe Williams from Flutey. (BTW isn't O'Gara the worst defensive flyhalf in world rugby...)

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 1:28 am
Hows the shoulder charge on Sivivatu after he dishes the ball off to mills?

French a bit upset they got beaten like a bitch at home with a full team??

ha ha ;-)

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 1:31 am
Hey, RD, do you know if the IRB put together a series like this for last year's candidates as well?

If so, it'd be kind of cool to see all the various nominees throughout the years...they're all pretty awesome to watch.

By yonks, at December 08, 2009 1:54 am
Stop saying O'gara's defense is rubbish, that may be so but he is still a 90kg man to bump off. Lets not forget the other 2 players who also couldn't push Fourie out even though he was centimeters away from the line.

Pure power and speed. Try of the year for me.

By Loiusan, at December 08, 2009 2:05 am
Kino, winning team does not automatically equal the best tries.

Louisan, no-one is denying that Fourie is strong but O'Gara should have put him down. His reputation in Europe is that of a revolving-door in defensive terms.

By John F, at December 08, 2009 2:25 am
Has to be Haymens for the steppin in such a tight spot - impossible angles.

_Not_ Harinordoquy - great try, but as best of the year I'd say the following works against it: a bouncing ball, a forward pass.

not ma'nonu - yes again a good try but u are always supposed to stay active and keep running. His reappearance is a team work coincidence.

Heaslips is a very fluid one - perfect teamwork v accurate and quick passing, great break from kearney, and great solo swerves at the end.

The importance of Fourie's simply has to be taken into account: when it was needed it happened by sheer force. Impressive.

1. Haymens
2. Heaslip
3. Fourie

Other bits:
great to hear the argie commentating!
Shanklin's strength deserves a mention too in the Byrne try.
(kearney's try is the only one not shown from its inception, which is a pity. Still, it wouldn't have won)

By mise, at December 08, 2009 2:37 am
Heymans, then Fourie.

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 2:54 am
mmm, i would have to say Heymans for flare and the individual nature of the try and Fourie for strength and finishing...

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 3:10 am
any chance of getting banahans late hit that earned him a red up?

By No.7, at December 08, 2009 3:28 am
apologies, it wasnt a late tackle...(i swear i read it was..)...apparently it was a stamp on the head of a player!

By No.7, at December 08, 2009 3:29 am
@ ted

i'm dutch, but no worries, am a big fan of the bokke

By Cheis, at December 08, 2009 3:37 am
O'Gara's tackling is shocking.
so what if he's 90 kg. He tackles like a 50 kg girl. And right after that try he gave away the penalty that cost the lions the match. Absolute disgrace.

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 3:49 am
Stop trying to degrade Fourie's try by saying that O'gara's defense is poor. He was still a 6 foot 1 90kg obstacle and Fourie made mince meat out of him and the other two players and he was right next to the touchline. Enough said. Try of the year.

By Ubi, at December 08, 2009 4:33 am
Agree with Sebastian, for me it was a tough choice between Heymans' and Harinordoquoy's try, but my vote went to the latter in the end.

By Jeremy, at December 08, 2009 5:25 am
They'll give it to the All Blacks. MY PRECIOUS.

By The Man, at December 08, 2009 6:56 am
Haymans or Heaslip

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 8:14 am
okay first off why is there only one wallaby try? Its not even the best Wallabies try... who picked these?

They could have picked any of James O'connors tries against italy (you know the HATRICK he scored on run on debut??!) who picked these? was it a group of people or what? is it some sort of committee? Im confused about whats going on with these selections mate? you cant have 3 all black tries 3 french tries and 3 lions tour tries. that leaves hardly any breathing room for the other fantastic tries scored.

look i know that this years rugby was poor all round and the tries scored werent the best but they can surely come up with a better list than that. i mean comon mate they have russia vs Kazakhstan or something on the list. you cant do that. i wont accept it.

By Cameron Maxted, at December 08, 2009 8:25 am
Kids shouldn't be allowed to comment on here.. somehow.

Fouries try was excellent, and I think everyones overlooking the great hands that happened before the bump off.

Heymans was a great individual try, but something about it looked too easy in the end.. the step on Muliaina was brilliant though.

Tries by Heaslip or Nonu are more enjoyable to watch imo. Harinordoquy too.

I'd say another list could definitely be compiled that would rival these though.

By Shaft, at December 08, 2009 9:25 am
Habana's second try for the babaas deserves special mention at the very least.

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 9:31 am
Anonymous said...
Kino, you're a disgrace to our country.
Luckily I know many good South African people or I might think you're all one-eyed simpletons after what you've said.

I sort of agree Anon but so many saffers (like Adangerouskid above) come on with the whingeing "everybody hates us" stereotype that I guess they're comfortable with it.

By jimmy, at December 08, 2009 9:32 am
Roth,
sorry for the late reply but i gotta work sometimes, even if "i have some sort of retardation".
And my apologies for giving my opinion of your holy Fourie try. I repeat: the try is nice but (omg you won't like this "but") i prefer tries combining team movements, runs in spaces, passes with timing, etc. That's only a vision, i'm ok w/ that, but that's mine.
You gotta admit, like Heymans's, Fourie's try is rather individual. That's why i vote for Clerc, Harinordoquy and then Heymans. This last one is awesome but, let's face it, this last choice is also because i'm French and biased. It could have been Shane Williams, his solo tries are always incredible. And honestly Bastaraud or Chabal (to name French only) have the ability to score such a power-try with so many players between them and the line. Picamoles and David (still more Frenchies) will be able too in no time.
Of course, if you post from the global anti-Bok plot sphere, i know my arguments are weak. On the other hand, who would be fool enough to give importance to them since i'm retarded? Sheer logic.
No politics, just game.

By Maximus, at December 08, 2009 10:12 am
Heymans's try brilliant for a solo effort, but I'd have to go for either Harinordoquy then Heaslip for the team effort.
Liked Fourie's try too, and Lee Byrne's as well.
Disapointed there weren't any english tries (not that any of them comes to my mind as a try that should appear here)

By Unknown, at December 08, 2009 10:19 am
Hey Maximus, pretend Fourie isn't South African and you'll think that's the best try.

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 10:21 am
The pass for Comachos try was a mile forward, how can the IRB even shortlist it. Shortlisted for poor refereeing more like.

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 10:22 am
Ok habana scored atleast 7 tries this year
Two vs australia
One awesome one vs lions
One vs Italy
Three great ones vs all blacks as a baabaa
Every try was stunning how can there not be a single one of him on here!!!!
Anyway fourie, heymans and harinordoquay are the best

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 11:17 am
As usual the Saffas start an argument about how the IRB and the rest of the rugby world are out to get them on a bloody try of the year compilation...

Lads, get a grip of yourselves....

1- Heymans (In a league of its own...I can't remember any one player raping the AB's backline like that with only a a foot or so to spare.)
2- Fourie
3- Harinordiquoy(spelling)

By themull, at December 08, 2009 11:45 am
Does anyone else think that Cameron Maxted must either be James O'Connor or must fancy him?

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 12:41 pm
Dear south Africa, you have worked very hard to kill the beauty of the game with your boring kicking game and violent eye gouging players.
Please don't come complaining afterwards when you realize how your only nice try of the year was offered to you by an opposite player and is otherwise deprived of style.
Thank you very much

Heymans by a thousand miles

By BillBoc, at December 08, 2009 12:47 pm
Cedric Heymans... no question about it

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 12:51 pm
"BillBoc". Just get over yourself. Dont give shitty comments about the Springboks. That Fourie try is a great try, dont think you and many other people will pull that of.

RoG has alot of time to work on his defence, The fact that he doesnt only lets him down and his country who he plays for. Its not our problem if he slips up. Rugby is his profession, there is no excuse.

What Schalk did was wrong in any form of the game.That goes the same for Bloodgate and the Bath drug scandal.

Haymans for best try.

By WGMDelko, at December 08, 2009 1:32 pm
Only one is by far the best (personal try) Cedric Heyman's versus AB. That is pure quality and French Flair.

The rest is just as beautiful but more team efforts..

By Pooftah, at December 08, 2009 1:48 pm
fucking O'gara. If he could tackle it might have been a Lions series win. TWAT

By thedannyclayton, at December 08, 2009 1:56 pm
BillBoc you're an ignorant child who doesn't deserve a place in the rugby fraternity, amongst real fans. Jog on.

By Dave, at December 08, 2009 2:04 pm
Yeah, I agree, Habana could have done that with his eyes closed!

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 2:05 pm
What the above two comments said. Spot on!

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 2:06 pm
Fourie gets my vote, what a winner!

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 2:06 pm
Jaque running through 5 Lions (the best of Europe) was so impressive!

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 2:06 pm
look at the three anonymousis above there all in the same minute, my guess is its one guy saying it cuz he wouldnt have been able to read it so soon.
hahahahaha

By Leinster4Life, at December 08, 2009 2:14 pm
sorry make that 5 above

By Leinster4Life, at December 08, 2009 2:14 pm
everyone moaning about an awful year and then you come out with fifteen like this
wondeful!

Everyone on this just cries about how unfair it is on there country cameron maxted, thats you and also that SA guy forget his name just shut up

By Leinster4Life, at December 08, 2009 2:20 pm
I think Camacho`s try is between the best. I read some posts saying it was a poor try and a pass foward.

No only it was a superb display of skill in the run by agulla but a great pass too, rarely seen at that level, where players try no to take risks.

Too many english fans (fans, who never played) , bad loosers.

By paco, at December 08, 2009 3:05 pm
sorry just to point out to ubi,ROG is not 6 "1" and 90kgs, he is 5"9" 79kgs,not tryin to take away from fouries try but dont come on here bullshittin when you dont have your facts straight,ROG is a very small man when you meet him in person

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 3:16 pm
giving this more thought at fourie's try was something special. 3 of the finest players in the NH getting dominated... wow.

By Leinster4Life, at December 08, 2009 3:32 pm
That is not correct, I am in fact 6 foot 3 inches and a solid 230lbs.

By ROG, at December 08, 2009 3:34 pm
As a SAFFA - Fourie try is the one.

Late into the game and trailing BI Lions - he scores the winning try from off the bench.

Heymans try was fantastic too. Taking Muliaina on the outside, then stepping inside - awesome.

By Unknown, at December 08, 2009 3:49 pm
Hayman's try happened right in front of me! It was an amazing sight in an otherwise dull game.

However no other player than Jaque Fourie could have scored that try against the Lions so that gets my vote.

By Fraser, at December 08, 2009 5:06 pm
I really am at a loss to see how Fourie's try was noteworthy. He crashed through a poor tackle, and scored. The sole reason it features is because it was a crucial game-winning try, in a major match, not because the try itself was spectacular. As an AB supporter, I enjoyed their two team tries, but my two favorites were Heymans' effort, and the try by Heaslip, his weaving run capping off a long range counter-attack. Runs like a back. Cheers RD

By Simon, at December 08, 2009 5:50 pm
Heymans no doubt about it really... Williams finish to flutey's little offload is also very good. but it was a bit lucky.

Stephen jones's beautiful hands for the lions and Kearny's try deserves a mention.

By David, at December 08, 2009 6:04 pm
Heymans is immense

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 6:13 pm
I believe i've made the best play on word of the year so far

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 6:13 pm
Cedric Heymans, Nonu

By Ben, at December 08, 2009 6:59 pm
I'd go for Heymans. As an anonymous told above; I've seen all of these tries on RD already. But the only one I remember without having to watch it again is the Heymans' try.
I also like Harinordoquy's try for the team effort.
Anyway, all of these tries are huge. No need to pick one, just enjoy all of them.

By Threma, at December 08, 2009 7:33 pm
No.17

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 7:35 pm
sorry, late reply but still gotta work. anon far above wrote that if i can persuade myself that fourie isn't a Bok, i will think his try is the best.

i really don't care about nationality here (or very little but since a lot of people mention my 3 favourite ones, perhaps they're not supporter picks only) and if i want to choose an individual try scored by a Bok this year, i will prefer schalk brits's as the flying hooker for the saracens (thanx RD for this vid btw). What a try it was!

I was surprised to see fourie and not habana though. habana, like BOD, has this unique ability to seize every tiny bit of opportunity to score a try. Perhaps not the best tries but incredible solo efforts.

sorry but still: harinordoquy, clerc and heymans.
and to be fair, there could be another competition with solo tries only. and another one about the worst pathetic moves or inspirations.

By Maximus, at December 08, 2009 8:04 pm
gotta be Harinordoqy's try, the team is sweeping the whole width of the field, forwards doing great job of keeping the ball alive and Chabal actually timing his pass well instead of barging into the defender... great team effort!
Heymans for the Solo try, no doubt

By Unknown, at December 08, 2009 9:34 pm
clearly heymans!!!!
Allez les bleus!

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 9:36 pm
from a welshman - Clerc.

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 9:41 pm
oops. heymans*

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 9:41 pm
Jaque Fourie's try. And yes, O'grara is 6 foot and around 90kgs. It says it on almost every single statistic before a game.

By Yasab, at December 08, 2009 10:22 pm
1: Heymans
2: Harinordoquy
3: Heaslip

easy.

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 10:24 pm
"Maximus" if you know your arguments are weak, why post them. Thats like buying a lesbian a drink.

"i prefer tries combining team movements, runs in spaces, passes with timing, etc. That's only a vision, i'm ok w/ that, but that's mine." but later on in your "reply"
you say "It could have been Shane Williams, his solo tries are always incredible." your not making any sence.

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 10:32 pm
To that no England try comment. I dont think England scored a try this year.

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 10:35 pm
i know. it's like an impulse. i don't want to but can't help it.
lesbian drinks are nice btw. your opinion is?

By Maximus, at December 08, 2009 11:17 pm
I would say Heymans'try but I also think Shane williams against argentina did a great job!
But we saw some team-tries really impressive!

By Brice, at December 08, 2009 11:23 pm
Or you could read between the lines (or just the lines, it works too) and understand that sometimes i can just like a try better than another. Like anybody posting here. My long post only explains y Heymans comes 3rd to me.
Thanx 4 helping me make sense.

By MaxiFedUpWithThismus, at December 08, 2009 11:32 pm
12 Alexander Yanyushkin. This was a great team effort due to the dominating scrum, which saw a burst from the back row, finally linking up with the back line. A great team effort.

By vicrugbynut, at December 08, 2009 11:43 pm
I think as a solo effort i would go for heymans.

and as a team effort i've gotta go with the frenchies again with harinordoquy, although i do like heaslips too....

Fourie's try was awesome i just think the others were better.

I dont think fouries try should be downplayed because he beat ROG. Fourie is a damn good player and im not sure how many backs would have stopped him at that point. but nonetheless i think the others were just that bit more.

I reckon there should be a team try award and an individual award. Its too hard to decide between a solo effort, and a team effort....

By No.7, at December 08, 2009 11:43 pm
Oh yeh, also forgot to mention Alexander Yanyushkin's try.....(the above reminded me) i thought that was a fantastic effort, perhaps worthy of a place in the top 3...?!?

By No.7, at December 08, 2009 11:45 pm
Cameron Maxted, the Kiwi pretending to be an Aussie - please go and have James O'Connor's baby and leave us alone! :)

Haymans for individual try, Heaslip for team try. Two of the tries came from the same game - cool. Although there are of course dozens of other tries they could have nominated. Fourie's try was great considering the context of a crucial juncture of a great Lions/SA series.

By John, at December 08, 2009 11:48 pm
Heymans try, that was a beautiful wingers try.
Right on the touchline, covered by the defence, beats four covering defenders (All Blacks, so no chumps) with pace and footwork.
Best this year for sure.

By Bill, at December 09, 2009 1:59 am
It is funny right...i came on here last night and some asshole was posing as other people, using their names etc (it was really obvious...)

so anyway i thought about this and came to the conclusion that lets say for every 5 people, 1 person is an asshole,....every second comment or so seems to be some asshole who apparently doesnt have much interest in the game, only 'their team'....so with that it mind it proves how popular RD really is, i mean if there are 150 comments (mine included) that means there should be about 30 asshole comments.....which to me sounds about right....

I suppose the more popular RD becomes the more assholes will be attracted......

By :), at December 09, 2009 2:44 am
.....either that or there is 1 c*nt who repeatedly comes here under plenty of different nicknames and just hasnt got anything better to do than piss people off!

By :), at December 09, 2009 2:47 am
I hate to say it but the class of the defence or defender has to have an impact on the judgement of the class of the try.

If Fourie had run over anyone but O'Gara, it would be ranked higher. Great skills as well by the Russians, but the Uraguayan defence was as tight as a French club's salary budget. Williams try against Argentia was also against a majority amateur side (no disrespect but they are in their pre-rwc building phase).

Heymans try is pure individual brilliance. Superb feet and vision against world class defenders.

Harinordoquy's try is an example of how rugby should be played, work on your individual skills in a team environment and have a go. Love the French rugby philosophy.

Nonu looked exceptionally sharp in this video and I hope whoever the negative git is who slammed him while providing the colour commentary for the Bas Bas game enjoys his humble pie.

Personally I am surpised more of you don't appreciate Kearny's try. Superb build up, off load of the year by Jones and an awesome blend of ball skills, power and pace by Kearny for the finish. Above all it was against the best defence in the world last year, bar none.

By Canadian Content, at December 09, 2009 2:54 am
......This is from richie mccaw,
to all everyone that hates me for being Player of the year!:

Motley Crue-Motherf*cker of the year:

I'm just the bone in your side,
The disrespect in your eye,
I can't control myself.
I'm like a snake in your drain,
I'm taking over your brain,
'Cuz I can't help myself.

Every time I turn my head,
I can hear everything that's said,
I know they wish I'd go away.

Here I am again,
Hey now, hey now,
I'm the mother fucker of the year.
Here I am again,
Hey now, hey now,
I'm the mother fucker of the year.

By NZ, at December 09, 2009 3:08 am
Although Heymans' try is superb, there's not enough rugby in it, in my humble opinion. Some of you will disagree, but if you mentally put pads and helmets on the players, its hard to tell apart from US football (that said, it looks like the ABs are playing touch rugby on that one).

That's why I'd go for Fouries or Harinordoquy. Awesome team effort in both although the French one has arguably more phases and individual skills combined (save the forward pass...). Also to O'Gara's defense, you can see him getting hit pretty hard in the action just before, he might have been seeing double for a while and picked the wrong Fouries...

What about the best try of the year all leagues and teams combined. There were a lot of insane tries in the curry cup...

By Anty, at December 09, 2009 4:09 am
Why no English tries? What a farce.

By UK_andy, at December 09, 2009 7:18 am
Andy - how many tries have we scored this year? Not many mate, I'm afraid.

I guess they could have put one from the France game in this compilation though, that's about the only good performance Engalnd have had this year. The one where we score from our 22 with Armitage breaking down the left wing.

But still mate, we've got to accept that our team just aren't much good at the moment and hope that this time next year we'll have improved.

By Ted, at December 09, 2009 8:44 am
It's ironic that all the SA fans are coming on here calling the NH fans biased when they themselves are being incredibly one-eyed about Fourie's try.

What happens in the try? SA win a line out and play three phases left, making perhaps ten metres of ground. Then, using albeit some quick hands, they pass it back to the other wing and to Fourie. Now Fourie admittedly uses fantastic strength to get over the line, but otherwise what he does is not that remarkable.

Compare this to the Irish, French and NZ tries in this compilation. These are tries where there is incredible dynamism with forwards and backs interlinking brilliantly and huge amounts of ground covered. They are all better team tries by a mile.

Now compare the individual skill of Fourie and Heyamns. Fourie does not have much room to manouevre and shows good strength to force his way to the line. But Heymans has to dance on the line FROM THE HALFWAY LINE weave in and out, gas people on the outside and then step on the inside. As an individual piece of skill it is in another league from Fourie.

I'm English and I have no allegiance to Ireland, France or NZ but if some of the SA fans still think I don't consider Fourie's try to be the best because I'm biased, well then there's no point reasoning with you guys.

By Kev, at December 09, 2009 9:25 am
1:56 in the second video: Schalk made David's bitch, replay at 2:12
So glad SA rugby sucks again, they've killed the game with their boring kicking game

By BillBoc, at December 09, 2009 9:31 am
bumping off 3 *LIONS* players that close to the touchline is beyond remarkable. It's downright freakish and if Fourie doesn't win this, well, then this award becomes as meaningless as the 'player of the year' award.

By 23rd Man, at December 09, 2009 9:32 am
O´GARA is 90 kg and what !!!
thierry dusautouir do weight 96 kg and is one of the best tacklers, so no excuses !1

By Flanker, at December 09, 2009 9:38 am
Bill he didn't bump off three lions, he bumped off one, O'Gara. The other two tackled him but couldn't stop him getting to the line. It was very good but not freakish at all, you see that sort of thing all the time. I've never seen anyone else do what Heymans did - if you have then please let me know who and in what game.

By Kev, at December 09, 2009 9:55 am
Fouries wasnt even that great, i dont know what the big deal is??
Bloody one eyed saffa's as usual.

The french try against the a.b's was the best then Nonu's.

By Kimbo, at December 09, 2009 10:41 am
Guys, as a Saffa myself, please ignore all the blatantly one-sided Fourie comments on here.
I've followed the comments and it seems to be like, ONE asshole kid who keeps going on about it, posting with different names too. Please don't think that he represents all South Africans, and that we're all like that!

Unfortunately this douche is determined to make us seem like dicks. Nice going laatjie.

By FrankyH, at December 09, 2009 11:12 am
Franky, don't worry mate, we know all Saffas aren't like that. There's always going to be a couple of blokes from each country giving their countrymen a bad name.

By Kev, at December 09, 2009 11:22 am
Billboc so you're saying that the world champions, tri nations champions, lions series winners, sevens champs, super 14 champs (the bulls) and team of the year suck?? Umm well ok...... Are you retarded?? Serious question.

By Anonymous, at December 09, 2009 11:33 am
im not a south african and i think fouries try was jaw droppingly good. i was screaming for the lions to win that match and was gutted when he crossed but i gotta give it to him. i think it should be the try of the year.

By SAS lanline, at December 09, 2009 11:36 am
Kev, well said mate. I'm Irish and I'm happy to admit that Ronan 'the swinging gate' O'Gara's defence is pretty feeble (which I can't understand - does he not have the slightest bit of aggression in him at all??). Having said that, Fourie's try decided the Lions series, and I think the context is important too. So while I don't think it's the best team try nominated, I can certainly understand why some of our Saffa friends are arguing for it.

By Gavin, at December 09, 2009 11:37 am
The best try is undoubtedly the Cedric Heymans one. That showed great skill.
Second I would go with Jaque Fourie's try. Scoring a vital try like that in the corner requires a lot of strength and skill. It's crazy tough to stay in field.
Third best goes to Nonu for a great team try and some lovely interplay.

By Ruan Fourie, at December 09, 2009 11:42 am
what is a saffa ? is it a racial slur ?

By Anonymous, at December 09, 2009 11:44 am
A 'Saffa' is someone from S.AF rica. It's not a racial slur at all. It's a friendly term like 'Kiwi' or 'Aussie'. Racism and rugby do not mix.

By Gavin, at December 09, 2009 1:39 pm
it depends on what makes a great try, rugby is a team game after all, more so than most other, so its great to see team play and supporting, getting back into the line quickly. ala Ma'nonu.
but for individual brilliance Shane-Flutey, Jones-Kearney and Heymans. were class
the Heymans one reminded me of this sizzling Shane from last year
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxh3utC4K_c
watch it he makes 4 defenders stand still.

By mat, at December 09, 2009 2:01 pm
Eddie buttler should be replaced, he talks lowtalk all the time

By bmoore, at December 09, 2009 2:24 pm
when watching heyman's try all i see is shit defence. those sidesteps weren't even impressive wtf

By Anonymous, at December 09, 2009 2:40 pm
Heymans and the french try against ireland are quite clearly the best.

By Andrew, at December 09, 2009 3:17 pm
cedric heymans' try is the best one, no contest

By Anonymous, at December 09, 2009 4:57 pm
I'm going to go with Heymans as no. 1 and Fourie as a close second.

The Hari try was a great example of diverse individual skill coupled with team cohesion, but I loved seeing Russia make the contest.

By Crosser, at December 09, 2009 5:36 pm
Heymans for best individual try and heaslip for team

By Freaky Naughty o_O, at December 09, 2009 5:37 pm
I'm going to go with Heymans as no. 1 and Fourie as a close second.

The Hari try was a great example of diverse individual skill coupled with team cohesion, but I loved seeing Russia make the contest.

By Crosser, at December 09, 2009 5:38 pm
Mmmmmm, just looked at those photos of the Springboks holding the Webb Ellis Trophy. How do you feel when you see your National team holding the Webb Ellis after a great world cup.

By Anonymous, at December 09, 2009 9:32 pm
"Mmmmmm, just looked at those photos of the Springboks holding the Webb Ellis Trophy. How do you feel when you see your National team holding the Webb Ellis after a great world cup"

I'd feel happy, but I'd also realise it doesn't make up for my personal inadequacies...

I try not to live through the achievements of others too much.

By Jake, at December 09, 2009 9:59 pm
Yasab said...
Jaque Fourie's try. And yes, O'grara is 6 foot and around 90kgs. It says it on almost every single statistic before a game.

Yes and player statistics are nearly always wrong. Having stood next O'Gara before (or should that be over O'Gara), he is barely 5'10 and no way near 80kgs, I'm 6'ish and towered over him. David Wallace's stats read 6'3, when he's barely 6'1, the Leinster 2nd row Devin Toner seems to have gradually grown from 6'8 a season ago to 6'11 now and so on.

By Huh!! the 3rd, at December 10, 2009 12:20 am
I was gonna repost some cock's comment, but after reading the comments since i dont think i will bother, the SA fans have definately made up for him!!

I think in the context of type of game, competition wise, in other words fouries try makes his try really great, but i still dont think the context should come into the try over the actual try itself....

...dont get me wrong fouries was good and he showed great power, and perhaps if he'd had more room it might be the top spot....but really....im not french but i can clearly see that heymans was the best individual try...and the other french try was a great team effort....heaslips was also another great team effort...

i just think that fouries was good but SA have scored better than his, and there are better tries in this group than his!

By :), at December 10, 2009 2:15 am
That Jacques Fourie try reminds me how much I detest Ronan O'Gara as a player.

By Unknown, at December 10, 2009 9:45 am
Ronan's one of the greatest Irish players EVER. Just shows how good Jaque is.

By Anonymous, at December 10, 2009 1:43 pm
Im not trying to make excuses but o'gara got a hefty hit before fourie knocked him over...he has never been fantastic in defense....
that said, he was picked for the team and has to hold his own as much as the next person. but this sort of ties into:

'Ronan's one of the greatest Irish players EVER. Just shows how good Jaque is.'

.....i wouldnt say that....his kicking is normally top notch, only seems the last couple years to have gone down slightly....his defence used to be better, but last couple years etc...got to say though his attacking has always been consistant, he has good sight for setting things up for the 3 quarters...

if you look at him compared to say giteau you can see the difference in player....perhaps what giteau makes up for against o'gara, he lacks in foresight on occasion, someone already commented on how giteau 10m out (or 5 i cant remember) never passes....o'gara simply does not have the power to do this so he relies on other players to do that work....he does however have agility and its not unlike him to break the line of defence and at least gain some yardage....i dont think people should be so hard on him...the lions needed a back up 10 and really with ROG kicking, he was probably the ideal person....especially agaisnt SA where taking them upfront will not always be straight forward.

By :), at December 10, 2009 1:55 pm
hymans and mills just pur class.
after seeing this what you think is the best team of 2009?

By Anonymous, at December 10, 2009 5:31 pm
just from last comment
best team
1-Gethin Jenkins
2- Bismarck du plessis
3- John Smit (c)
4- Bakkis Botha
5- Paul O'connell
6- Heinrich Brussow
7-Richie Mccaw
8-Jamie Heaslip
9- Fourie du preez
10- Matt Giteau
11- Tommy Bowe
12- Berrick Barnes
13- Brain o'driscoll
14- cedric Hymans
15- Mills Muliaina

By Anonymous, at December 10, 2009 5:55 pm
Ireland v France was the match of the year

By rodofle, at December 10, 2009 9:41 pm
And your team of the year is crappy

By rodofle, at December 10, 2009 9:44 pm
I mean, jon smit prop and captain???

By rodofle, at December 10, 2009 9:47 pm
The anonymous guy who wrote his team of the year... That's a pretty crap team. How you could have o'connel over matfield is the worst decision of the lot!! Also habana definitely deserves a spot on the wing. Roberts was good too. Giteau had a pretty bad year so would have Stephen jones or morne steyn

By Anonymous, at December 11, 2009 4:55 am
How did Gitaeu have a worse year than Stephen Jones?

By Anonymous, at December 11, 2009 7:32 am
"Ireland v France was the match of the year"

I suggest you watch the second Lions test. While you're at it, watch the Currie Cup final.

By McBull, at December 11, 2009 2:51 pm
...yeh to the anonymous who put the team, im not even a bok supporter but id put matfield in ahead of o'connel.... although o'connel dominated matfield in the ire sa game....so maybe i can see your point...as much as i like o'connel i think matfield is a better all rounder....

By No.7, at December 12, 2009 2:22 am
matfield dominated o'connel in the line outs in the lions series. Plus the Irish lineout coach was the ex Bok coach so he knows all their calls

By Anonymous, at December 12, 2009 3:08 am
yeh, but anonymous, its normally the latest performance that people go by......

By Anonymous, at December 12, 2009 5:13 am
POC is the most overated lock in the game.
He's not a bad player, but nothing special.

By Anonymous, at December 12, 2009 5:38 am
Jaque Fourie because of the moment in the match, not to mention he was shuffled to the wing because he had received an eye gouging, his eye was bleeding and he couldn't see out of it. The ball ended up coming to him and he scored a try like that, amazing!

By Anonymous, at December 12, 2009 12:23 pm
Paul O'Connell is the best 2nd row in the world, the man is certainly the most intelligent forward in world rugby, like learning africans before the South Africa match was a stroke of genius. And the amount he does on the deck is unbelievable, he is Ireland's best forward for winning ball on the ground by a good bit, although that wouldn't when there 2 no.8s and an out and out 6 in the Irish back row! Not to mention his line-out ability, I think Imanol Harinordoquy is the only man in the world better in the line-out. Hayman's try was the best by the way, Lee Byrne's line for his try was amazing and Shane Williams against the lions was pretty sweet too. And of coarse Mill's try against the french was breath taking! I would like to see who will win it!

By Anonymous, at December 12, 2009 3:45 pm
'Jaque Fourie because of the moment in the match, not to mention he was shuffled to the wing because he had received an eye gouging, his eye was bleeding and he couldn't see out of it. The ball ended up coming to him and he scored a try like that, amazing!'

Shut up you prick!

'When asked to clarify his claim, Fourie said: “It wasn’t eye-gouging. I went into a ruck just before I scored my try and when I came out I couldn’t see out of one eye. It could easily have been one of my players as much as them, so it was an accident. It isn’t an issue for me.”'

By Anonymous, at December 12, 2009 4:07 pm
Again, POC is a good solid second rower.
Very good in the line out as you say (though Matfield is probably better, Ali Williams, Haridnoquay also good).
He's solid defensively, though a bit slow and cumbersome when forced to defend out wide.
He contributes well to rucks.
As a ball carrying option he is almost below average for an international forward. He rarely makes any ground and rarely offloads.
So all in all a good player, but not perfect.
I guess all players have strengths and weaknesses though.

By Anonymous, at December 13, 2009 2:05 am