Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Chris Ashton's brilliant try against the Wallabies at Twickenham

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Chris Ashton's brilliant try against the Wallabies at Twickenham

Those of you who have visited this site over the years will know that the aim has never been to be a highlights channel, but rather an archive of all things great in world rugby. It's with that in mind that we're adding this Chris Ashton wonder try to the archive as a featured post.

Ashton scored two tries as England turned on the heat against the Wallabies last weekend. His first came from some fantastic build up play. The second was that of pure adrenalin and raw speed as Ashton ran 95 metres to score one of the greatest tries ever seen at Twickenham.

The former League player made the switch to Union three years ago after being inspired by Jason Robinson. Robinson himself was watching on Saturday and has said that he did something he hasn't done in the past - leapt to his feet and cheered Ashton all the way to the tryline.

"Too right I did, me and 80,000 others," said Robinson. "I've not done that before but that was something special. Chris is the real deal. And to think he's only 23. You don't reach your peak until you're 26 or 27.

"He's come into a new game and he's learning new things but his league upbringing is helping him like it helped me. I see a lot of league in him in that there are no restrictions in how he plays. He attacks, he takes people on. You've got to be able to take people on when they don't expect it," he added.

Those involved, Ben Youngs, Courtney Lawes, and Ashton himself, described the moment through their eyes. "Sometimes in rugby your instincts just take over. I saw the gap and just went for it," said Youngs, who passed to second rower Lawes after his dummy on the tryline.

"I just tried to draw the man. I was going to pass the ball earlier bout thought, 'Whats the point?'. I managed to draw him in, give the pass to Ashy and it worked out all right," said Lawes.

"I think he thought he was Sonny Bill Williams, sucking in two players and offloading," added Youngs. Ashton said that he was pretty knackered by the end of the run, but with such adrenalin in front of a home crowd, he could have kept running all the way up the stands.

"I just got the ball in a bit of space and ran like always. When I made the break out of the 22, I looked up at the big screen and it gave me an idea where I was and where Mitchell was," explained Ashton.

"There was no-one on his inside so I thought I would go that way for the corner, as as I went past him he seemed to drop off, so I went under the posts. I didn't really change speed, I just kept on going.

"I'll have to sit down with a beer and reflect on it," he added.

:: Related Posts ::
England outpace the Wallabies at Twickenham

Time: 01:09

1st :-).great try

By Anonymous, at November 18, 2010 4:02 pm
awesome... just pin ur ears back and go...

By Anonymous, at November 18, 2010 4:26 pm
I've seen flair like that before, from the likes of Fiji and France.
But I cannot remember that last time England as a team did something like this, barring something from Jason Robinson.

As the commentator said -- don't play where you are, but what's in front of you.

Here's to England giving us more of these scorelines which are not divisible by three.

By cheyanqui, at November 18, 2010 4:26 pm
great try, but what´s this about looking up at the big screen to see where he was??? And does he usually look that manic when he runs? Either way looks like a great player.

By Anonymous, at November 18, 2010 5:29 pm
i reckon mitchell coulda caught if he'd just hung on a bit longer and not dived at him so soon.

anywho, well done eng, i still dont reckon youll do any good in the next 6 nations/world cup.

By Anonymous, at November 18, 2010 5:30 pm
It's a good try but to call it one of the greatest trys ever scored a Twickenham is false/depressing?

Dont get me wrong, i was at the game and my voice was hoarse by the end of it but if you take a step back and look at it two people have drawn their men and passed and then Ashton's run really fast for 90m and beaten one man.

To me a great try is one that involves the whole team + some great individual skill.

Still - a very good try.

By Anonymous, at November 18, 2010 5:57 pm
That wasn't individual skill? Three individuals in fact. First the Youngs fake/dummy/step, then a LOCK drawing two players to free up Ashton on the outside. The speedster than sprinted, changed direction without slowing down, and had the gas to continue his run and outstrip another winger. If that wasn't a great try, I don't know what is.

By Greiffel, at November 18, 2010 6:03 pm
Got to agree witj Greiffel here... Three of the new breed of brilliant England players involved, and you could see the adrenaline rushing towards Ashton's head in that run!

Awesome stuff. More of the same, please.

By Juggernauter, at November 18, 2010 6:07 pm
Honestly, when the camera zoomed in on him smiling like a lunatic I just assumed he had a clear run to the finish.

Shows the confidence of the kid. He does it with Northampton too, backs himself and has confidence to make it in situations that aren't easy.

He'll get egg on his face one day but the times he gets it right it's a sight to behold

By Chris, at November 18, 2010 6:14 pm
"I just tried to draw the man. I was going to pass the ball earlier bout thought, 'Whats the point?'. I managed to draw him in, give the pass to Ashy and it worked out all right," said Lawes.

To be honest, watching the game live, I thought Lawes had butchered a good opportunity. I figured he'd do what England usually do and forgo the offload. When I realized he sucked in the outside defender (Adam Ashley-Cooper?) and made the offload, I was standing shouting for Ashton as well.

Given the atmosphere of the try, I'd say there's nothing "depressing" about calling it one of the best seen at Twickenham. The only thing faster than Ashton seemed was the camera on the rail.

By b.b., at November 18, 2010 6:35 pm
This is a great try because everyone involved wre just as important.
From Palmer to Flood to Tindall to YOungs to Lawes to Ashton, without anyone of them the try wouldn't have happened.
Good use of the big screen tho :P

By vinniechan, at November 18, 2010 6:36 pm
What a great try - a great team try at that - agree with above - young blood coming through.
Youngs was outstanding...AGAIN!

As for the Anon a few above - piss off - can you really see Ireland and Wales doing well in the 6Nations - on current form I see Eng having a fairly good chance!

By Bradders, at November 18, 2010 6:36 pm
The only thing faster than Ashton seemed was the camera on the rail.

-----------

I was trying to find out how fast those cameras moved lol. I thought he had it beaten for speed at one point!

By Chris, at November 18, 2010 6:37 pm
ehh... Anyone spot the blatant penalty at the turnover ruck by England No. 5?? Pretty obvious, surprised the ref missed it!

Having said that top quality finish after some nice skill by Lawes.

Still not better than the St. Andre try at Tickenham....

By Anonymous, at November 18, 2010 7:05 pm
Nobody said it was, Captain Buzzkill.

By Anonymous, at November 18, 2010 7:28 pm
@Greiffel - "then a LOCK drawing two players to free up Ashton on the outside."

Drawing opposition and passing is something every player should do. The fact that he is a lock has nothing to do with it. That he drew two players is bad D on the Australian's part - outside man should've trusted his inside to make the tackle.

"Changed direction without slowing down, and had the gas to continue his run and outstrip another winger"

He did slow now, not much, but he did. Plus i was expecting him to beat Mitchell once he has stepped inside, Ashton was carrying all the momentum.

By Anonymous, at November 18, 2010 7:36 pm
what a bunch of pedantic buzzkills. Always habe to put a downer on things. "did you sdee the blatant penalty by no 5" "actually he did slow down when he changed direction". BLAHHHHH its easy to stand there and critque what any one did for that try. Its easier to just appreciate it for the great try that it was.

By Anonymous, at November 18, 2010 7:47 pm
Good try, and good work by Youngs and Lawes. However, I don't know why everyone is extolling the virtues of Chris Ashton. As has been said, he was given a free run for ages and then just had to beat a defender who was in an impossible situation. I mean anybody could have done that. I really don't know why people think he's so good. He messes up so many things normally. A good try though.

By Kearney for tests, at November 18, 2010 8:14 pm
My bad. Average try. We see 100m tries like this against top ranked sides week in and week out.

By Greiffel, at November 18, 2010 8:52 pm
the try is a norm in super 14. great but not one of the best ever.

By techik, at November 18, 2010 9:13 pm
Enjoyed that one from the comfort of my local pub. It's true that we haven't seen enough good tries like that of late but hopefully this is the start of an upward curve :)

We'll see.

By John F, at November 18, 2010 9:35 pm
Was a clear penalty to Australia - absolutely blatant. Can't believe it wasn't given.

Ben and Courtney deserve all the credit Ashton had the simple bit any winger worth his salt would have scored that.

By Anonymous, at November 18, 2010 9:47 pm
techik said...
the try is a norm in super 14. great but not one of the best ever.

Typical jealous aussies was a world class try and NORMALLY the tries like that in the super 14 are a result of shit defence
that try had everything brilliant defence amazing finish and quality pass by lawes and a nice little break from a scrum half..... in his own in goal area havent seen that in the super 14?!?

By georide, at November 18, 2010 10:04 pm
Agreed. Great finish by Ashton but Palmer should have been binned for killing Australian ball and not rolling away. Have watched it numerous times and he makes no attempt at all to do so.

By Anonymous, at November 18, 2010 10:11 pm
awesome try from another talented league convert. you won't see better finishing than that in a long time. He totally burned Mitchell! The ref should have pulled England up for both no 10 and no 5 not releasing the tackler just before the turnover but hey ho these things happen in rugby. Great to see England playing some decent rugger at last after the durge of the last 7 years. Lets hope they can go on to big things in the 6N and over here in NZ next year. I have to say I'd be worried if I was bok coach, England are now most definitely favourites for the SA game. Of course PdV won't be worried, as he's mentally deranged and incapable of critical analysis.

By Tommo, at November 18, 2010 10:15 pm
All this talk of Palmer being penalised is rubbish. England had three players on Genia before any Aussie support arrived. Genia got himself isolated and missed an overlap. Great defence by England and long may the Aussies make such a balls up of try scoring oppitunities

By Anonymous, at November 18, 2010 10:47 pm
i've watched this 13 times and it just gets better and better

By Anonymous, at November 18, 2010 10:59 pm
techik said...
the try is a norm in super 14. great but not one of the best ever.

According to your logic perhaps that is why England was able to exploit the typical weak SH defense.

Myself, I don't think so. This was a brilliant try scored by a team hell bent of playing rugby the way we all dreamed it should be played.

And this is coming from a neutral who rarely supports England.

What's with Ashton using the big screen? You have a problem with players evolving and using every element to their advantage? You miss the days of fat slobs dominating the game as well?

Brilliant instincts I'd say.

And in regards to the comments made about his facial expressions... great athletes never worry about what they look like in the midst of greatness. Haters do and thus never achieve greatness.

By Canadian Content, at November 18, 2010 11:13 pm
Too bad its just a test match and doesnt count for sh*t.

Look at England on the IRB tables, still below Australia!

By Anonymous, at November 18, 2010 11:14 pm
Anyone who thinks that ruck was legal simply knows nothing about the laws of the game.
You must release once you make a tackle, neither Palmer or Flood ever released Genia.
Palmer also went to ground, didn;t release and didn;'t roll away, then got to his feet with his hands on the tackled player, lost his feet again, and still didn't release.
That ruck was completely illegal.

Hey anon, 'getting isolated' doen't automatically entitle England to break the fucking laws.

That aside, incredible finish from Ashton, great confidence and skill and great lead up work. Good confidence to pass it that close to the line.

By Tom, at November 18, 2010 11:14 pm
Kearney for tests ''I mean anybody could have done that. I really don't know why people think he's so good. He messes up so many things normally.''

You clearly don't know what you're talking about. He's world class, he was thought of that way before this try. Did you not see any of his tackles, offloads or passes in this test and the other ones he's played in, plus in the prem, he dominates other wingers. He's everywhere you would want a winger in defence too, he's always there when a kick goes over! He's a world class player, in great form, with only better to come. Simple as that!

By Anonymous, at November 18, 2010 11:21 pm
Sigh....im not an Eng supporter, i have yet to say who i support, as I more of a 'good rugby' supporter than being worried about the colour shirt players have on their backs....

but to read some of the comments above...im not surprised rugby looks like its becoming more law orientated...everyone loves a bitch, a gripe and just a down right moan about anything and everything....honestly you all sound like football supporters....

id say forget about the false/depressing best try at twickers stuff...this is depressing clicking onto the comments section...yet it was one of my favourite places to click to read everyones praise of certain things....

I think the worst part is, had this been down with the AB's and howlett scored or with the Saffas and Habana scoring everyone (including the English fans) would have said it was well done....but because its a 'weaker' NH team getting 1 up on a 'stronger' SH team, they must have cheated, or it 'didnt mean sh*t' ....

...none of you guys seem to have any love of the sport itself....its all about 'Who did it and the shirt they were wearing' which sadly to say is a MASSIVE soccer attitude!

Good try (id like to say more about it, but im not so much in the mood for it anymore!)

p.s Cheers RD for getting this stuff up!

By (u-p)rick, at November 18, 2010 11:26 pm
To the anonymous who answered my post, yes I have seen Ashton before. I saw him ruin England's only chance against France during his first cap when he was one on one with Poitrenaud and chipped about 15 metres too early. And then saw him talking in the newspaper about how well he thought he played and how he couldn't wait for the next time he played (he should have been happy to even be considered after that match). And I've seen him many other times, messing things up in a similar way.
He's fast and reasonably strong I'll admit, but I really don't think he brings a lot to the game beside those two things. He just doesn't have the brain for it in my opinion.

By Kearney for tests, at November 18, 2010 11:43 pm
@Kearney for tests

You are literally a moron. This is a great try, and something I haven't seen from England in a long while.

You could argue he spurned another chance in this game for a try scoring opportunity for Cueto but it doesn't matter. That french attempt was an error but ditching a player on the basis of one error is not Rugby. He did have a good game that day and was finding the space other wingers haven't.

Player at 23 years old scoring the amount of tries he is as a league convert, I'm pretty impressed. Stop watching the highlights and start watching the full game, might give you a better informed opinion instead of the twaddle you spout.

By chris, at November 18, 2010 11:53 pm
"techik said...
the try is a norm in super 14. great but not one of the best ever."

Oh, come off it. No, this isn't the norm in the Super 14. It happens, but it certainly isn't the norm. What you have a better chance of seeing is wingers like Masaga who run in for a 10m try through the hands and have a goddamned dance party as if it was something magical.

This, however, was a pretty superb try. From Tindall getting the counterrucking done, to Youngs' step inside, to Lawes drawing in two defenders, to Ashton outpacing O'Connor (who many people were extolling for outracing Shane Williams the other week) and having the foresight to put Mitchell in the impossible position of preventing the try. Australia is the #2 side in the world, so to score a well-nigh 100m try against them is pretty damned impressive in my book.

By fry, at November 19, 2010 12:05 am
Jesus Christ this websife is devoted to all things rugby, designed for people who love all things rugby. Stop being so critical, Its a great try from a great young talent who is bursting onto the international scene. When did everyone get so pathetic, appreciate a good piece of attacking rugby for fucks sake and stop being so egotistical, you've got nothing to lose by admitting a player who is of a different nationality to you has a bit of quality. Mitchell is a quality player one of my fabourite wingers in the super 14 last year, Australia are a phenomenal side, for once England played with a bit of flair and beat a quality wallaby outfit.

By Jack, at November 19, 2010 12:10 am
And Kearney for tests (hopefully that's not still your attitude given his poor performances of late), I'd be happy to have a winger like Ashton on the Ireland squad. Both Bowe and Fitzgerald are awesome players, but Ireland lack quick feet out wide, and that's something Ashton has.

Players squander tries all the time; but he's 23 and he'll only get better and more adept and reading the game. Why do you have to be so negative?

Great stuff, thanks for the appropriately-titled/-described post!

By fry, at November 19, 2010 12:12 am
Meh.. seen better.

By Anonymous, at November 19, 2010 12:25 am
@Fry

definatly not a superb try, true tindall played more like a hard working 6 than a centre, and yes, lawes can pass the ball 3 metres and ashton is fast, but any winger is when theres know one in front of them and the covering winger is 10m behind, and then mitchell is caught in no mans land. nothing superb about that, no great passing, no great one on one stuff, nothing special

By Anonymous, at November 19, 2010 12:41 am
The Aussie fly half looks like he is jogging.

By Gman, at November 19, 2010 12:57 am
Chris...

have to agree i knew it he was quick, but if you watch the camera when he sets of gives you a real sense of his pace.

By Anonymous, at November 19, 2010 1:01 am
A breath taking try. Incredible.
Also, think if Aus had crept over there and scored when they had possesion, it makes the try Ashtons scored all the more brilliant.
I still don't like league though.

By irishfan, at November 19, 2010 1:17 am
Mad try, nice to see England play some entertaining rugby. Next years WC will be awesome, seems like alot of teams are coming good.

By noms, at November 19, 2010 1:18 am
Well said (U-p)rick

By Alexander, at November 19, 2010 1:44 am
Uprick, I agree it was a greta try, but you can't expect people who aren't England fans to ignore what Palmer and Flood di at the ruck.
What they did as illegal, it's why the ball was turned over.
Great try, but the turnover was illegal.

By Jono, at November 19, 2010 2:06 am
for all the people who have been ripping and spreading hate over the try.

how about you go and play a test match of rugby, step QUADE COOPER, draw in adam ashley cooper and then out run james o connor and drew mitchell

f*ck off...you're probably some pissed off aussie

By Anonymous, at November 19, 2010 2:30 am
"f*ck off...you're probably some pissed off aussie"

Well, that describes me.

By Jono, at November 19, 2010 2:52 am
fry...

what takes more skill? Masaga having 10 metres and beating 4 players to try line or Ashton having 95 metres to beat 1 player? hmmm

Whats more entertaining? Masaga dancing with rhythm or Ashton putting one hand up and pointing his finger? hmmmm

By small fry, at November 19, 2010 2:54 am
I must have watched that about 6 times, awesome try.

By JDG, at November 19, 2010 3:42 am
Yeah I didn't write that.
I am an Aussie, I'm not pissed off.
I just know the rules, and I'm not simpleton.
I know the turnover was illegal, just like I know the try was a great one.

Sorry for "ripping" and "spreading hate"... I didn't realise I was being a player hater, I better keep it real...
you nob.

I'm dsicussing the try, not just saying "oooh waht a great try"
Sorry if you expected everyone to just say what a great try it was, when you can see the trun over was illegal.
Fucking England fanboy.

By Jono, at November 19, 2010 4:20 am
what takes more skill? Masaga having 10 metres and beating 4 players to try line or Ashton having 95 metres to beat 1 player? hmmm

Whats more entertaining? Masaga dancing with rhythm or Ashton putting one hand up and pointing his finger? hmmmm

-------------------

Come off it. If Masaga scored a try like this for NZ against Australia it'd be ranked as his best try.

If Kearney scored this try, Kearney for Tests would rank it his best try.

Hell, for everyone being negative, if your favourite player scored this try you'd be singing their praises.

You say he beat 1 man? Is it his fault that he outpaced and outclassed the Australian team. If he only beat one man that's testament to his speed.

Most criticisms on here reak of xenophobia.

By Chris, at November 19, 2010 4:21 am
Sorry if you expected everyone to just say what a great try it was, when you can see the trun over was illegal.

-------------------

Maybe if Genia held onto the ball instead of feeding it to the England player he'd have got a penalty.

You play to the whistle, number 1 rule.

The game would be alot better without pedantic fans like you. If you want a game where play stops every 20 seconds and the refs don't make human mistakes go watch NFL.

If the game was reffed seemingly to your standards every infringement would be penalised and the whistle would go every 30 seconds.

Sounds like a great spectacle your game.

By Chris, at November 19, 2010 4:26 am
Yeah, you're right, England should allowed to playt he ball illegally.
Can't have a legal ruck, it would ruin the game.
You do play the whistle, you're right, and its fine that the ref made a mistake, England did well to score the try.
Genia probably shouldn't have made the run.
But they still turned the ball over illegally.
You're the kind of person who is fine with this when it favours your team, but bullshit if you'd be ok with it happening the other way round.
If Australia just illegally played the ball at the ruck, bullshit that you wouldn't mind.

By Jono, at November 19, 2010 4:40 am
Oh, and are seriously saying it's Genia's fault that the England tackler don't release, don't roll away and Palmer lies over the ball sealing the ruck off for England?
That's Genia's fault?
Fucking England fans.

By Jono, at November 19, 2010 4:42 am
As long as you ignore the blatant (& deliberate) penalties which resulted in the turn over, this was a fantastic try. He’s got a deceptive pace and really embarrassed Mitchell.

By ChinUp, at November 19, 2010 4:55 am
He outran mitchell and connor! Sweet Ashton sweet. Looking forward to seeing him next year on the big stage.

By Anonymous, at November 19, 2010 5:48 am
Ignore all the negative comments on this try, they are just Australians. Don't bunch the whole SH together, I hate the Australians and am from the SH and was supporting England.

By Anonymous, at November 19, 2010 6:07 am
Drew Mitchell made him look good.

By KevinRudd, at November 19, 2010 6:08 am
Also O'connor isn't fast, he gets burnt on a regular basis in the S14.

By Anonymous, at November 19, 2010 6:10 am
It was a fantastic try! i watched it and it sent tingles down my spine, a feeling usually reserved for carter-like magic moments. The ruck was questionable but not a blatant penalty as some might say. there was no ausie there and all three players managed to get on their feet apart from the 5 who made an effort but it was pretty impossible. geniea was turned and really facked from the start there was no way the aussies would have got that ball back.

By AB's for life, at November 19, 2010 6:35 am
"Whats more entertaining? Masaga dancing with rhythm or Ashton putting one hand up and pointing his finger?"

Weird. I always thought it was the try itself that should be entertaining more than the celebration.

By fry, at November 19, 2010 6:41 am
But I probably should've never drawn the comparison; this try has nothing to do with the celebration after, so let's not get on that topic.

By fry, at November 19, 2010 6:44 am
"the try is a norm in super 14. great but not one of the best ever."

news flash matey, Super 14 isn't test match rugby in front of millions of people.

All the people slagging of this, great, try when you're playing at this level, and can do any of what those guys did come back and let us all know.

Otherwise have a coke and a smile and shut the f*ck up!

By goodNumber10, at November 19, 2010 6:51 am
Jono = sour grapes.

By goodNumber10, at November 19, 2010 6:53 am
It's nice to see England playing with a bit more flair than usual, but i didn't really find that try all that impressive. As has been said, he only had to beat one man, who really made a botch job of the defence.

Certainly, an exceptional try, at least at Test level, but hardly amazing.

By Anonymous, at November 19, 2010 8:45 am
On behalf of England fans with two eyes and to reiterate points already done to death on the match highlights post:

The turnover was won illegally. Fact. There's nothing subjective about it. Neither Palmer nor Flood released the tackled player, Palmer was lying on the wrong side of the ruck and Flood was in from the side.

The only mitigation is that Genia took a while to release the ball - in fact he only "released" it when Tindall ripped it from him.

So maybe the ref saw it as a possible penalisable offence for both teams. Six of one, half a dozen of the other. If that's the case then I'm pleased (as a rugby fan) that he let play continue. Nothing worse than stop-start pedantic reffing: it spoils the spectacle.

By Von, at November 19, 2010 8:48 am
Checking the big screen eh. Well I suppose that explains the bizarre facial expression!! Nick Easter described the look on Ashton's face as "like a rhino mid-orgasm"!!

By Von, at November 19, 2010 8:49 am
Look, let me just say it was a great try, enough about the turn over.
Ashton is some winger, big, fast great reading of the play, I'm very impressed.
Overall England were very impressive, very much the better team on the day. Instead of playing a negative game, they ran the ball, and look how succesful it was.
They've got some great young players coming thru, and they will be areal threat at the Wrold Cup.

The turnover was illegal, but Genia probably shouldn't have made the run. It's a fact it was illegal, that's all I was saying.
But fair play to England, the courage and ambition to run the ball in that situation speaks volumes.

By Jono, at November 19, 2010 10:04 am
its f**king funny as listening to all the comments from bias english fans, having a go at people bringing up the the illegal way they got the ball in the first place when we all know for a fact that if it were the other way round english fans would be loosing their frikken minds.

By Anonymous, at November 19, 2010 10:32 am
*losing

By spellcheck, at November 19, 2010 10:46 am
Guys, illegal stuff happens at the breakdown all the time! A ref can probably blow up at least 3 different things each time. So maybe something did happen illegally, but does that mean we should LOOK for illegal things in every single great try ever scored? Name a great Wallaby try and I bet we can find something to penalise in the build up.

Its just the way it is with rugby, so picking it out does sound like sour grapes unfortunately, whether you're technically correct or not.

By Laz, at November 19, 2010 11:22 am
Anonymous said...
Ignore all the negative comments on this try, they are just Australians.

No we aren't. Good try, not great.

By Robbie, at November 19, 2010 11:27 am
People hate to see England doing well. hahahahahahahaha you miserable b*****ds.
Great try Ashton and to the miseries complaining of ...well, everything really; yes this is the England team of the forseable future.... I can feel another laugh coming on.

Great try.

By Anonymous, at November 19, 2010 11:34 am
Great fake kick by Youngs.
Defender came in for the charge down, created the dog leg, and a 3 on 3.

Well finished

By Unknown, at November 19, 2010 11:57 am
Absolutely outstanding try; handling skills, defence, the bravo to try it .. and this from a committed Irish supporter. But if you watch a recording of the turn-over ruck, a hand pushes the ball back on the ground .. absolutely fair enough, the dark arts always have a place

By Anonymous, at November 19, 2010 12:09 pm
I'm still impressed that he used the big screen to stake out his options! First time I've ever heard a player admit to that.
Maybe they should only show replays for infringements and try highlights on the big screen during the games? But that's a whole other discussion.
Nice run in for the try.

By Old7, at November 19, 2010 12:50 pm
Heard a rumour that Craig Joubert was actually marked down by the IRB Ref's assesor for not blowing up Palmer or Flood for 'blatantly' infringing at that ruck. That just about sums it up for me.

Great finish by Ashton but as said previously the swift change from defence to attack left Aus flat-footed. In my opinion any top 8 side in the world should be able to score from there with a turnover in that position that quick and with the opposition so defensively stretched.

By Anonymous, at November 19, 2010 3:27 pm
Great work from the new English players however, the move came from illegal play by teh english forwards and it should have been a yellow card.

The same infringement as Giteau's yet WB's get a yellow card, England get a try..

This was the main turning point in the game.

It still doesnt take away from the indvidual brilliance of this guy...

By Anonymous, at November 19, 2010 3:32 pm
Haha! To all you people talking about the penalty at the ruck, there is no doubting it could have been given, both ways depending on the referee. But to take anything away from a try like this?? You shouldn't be involved in this game! Richie Mcaw wouldn't be a NZ player if every offence like this got picked up, his penalty count would be far to high to include him. He ends up on the right side of the decision 80% of the time, and for once it's an english player.....so what!! As an Australian, i'm far more worried about quade coopers awful display. We could have had an U18 international in his shirt and had a better game! For this particular try, he goes for a ridiculously half hearted charge down, which leads to the break, and then, for eveyone who knows who fast he is....you can see him clearly running at about 60% when chasing Ashton. If Cooper plays like that at the world cup we won't get past quarters!!

By Anonymous, at November 19, 2010 3:50 pm
Heard a rumour that Craig Joubert was actually marked down by the IRB Ref's assesor for not blowing up Palmer or Flood for 'blatantly' infringing at that ruck. That just about sums it up for me.

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Sounds about right. Australia is a protected species. With the arse kicking League and AFL have been giving Union for the last century the IRB are doing everything they can to help Australian Union.

By Chris, at November 19, 2010 4:18 pm
From a French rugby fan:
Congrats England, you've finally got a decent team that is able to run the ball! We French saw glimpse of it in the 6 nations for the final game, but it looks like you went one step further.
The turnover might have been a penalty but that's the ref decision and I'm glad it made this try possible.
Even I had goosebumps when I heard the whole crowd cheering during Ashton's run (and God knows how I usually hate Twickenham's atmosphere...).
Looking forward to playing England next February, should be a cracker!

By Unknown, at November 19, 2010 4:20 pm
Jono whilst I agree the infringement should not be over looked, I have seen time and time again where a 'SH player' whether it be tri nations player, super 14 etc...do something and when people say 'ah but it was illegal' the retort is along the lines of 'yeh but...'

I do view the majority of videos on here with a keen eye for letter of the law, and I will happily say 'Chris Ashtons try should NOT have been scored, due to the infringement at the ruck.' However the try WAS scored and the fashion in which it was performed was fantastic!

Any team treads the line when it comes to the law and defending on their own try line....so for me i'd say the english team did a very good job, and as stated above somewhere this is nothing new to Richie McCaw...

My main point is it is disappointing to see people stick a comment in saying 'this was illegal it sucks' or 'illegal' when quite clearly from the 9's point of view, and the locks and ashtons point of view they were shipping the ball from the base of a ruck.

so sure state it was an illegal breakdown but dont deny england their effort on this score!

By (u-p)rick, at November 19, 2010 6:53 pm
I've never supported Italy in the Rugby before, but I will be this weekend.

Come on Italy, the English pulled the Aussies pants down, all you have to do now is the spanking.

By Anonymous, at November 19, 2010 9:46 pm
I have to say this is a sad sad situation. a good try is a good try, it doesn't matter what level or whatever team it is for. Many pieces of great play have something illegal going on in the build up. GET OVER it!! Good try, keep it up chris.

By Anonymous, at November 19, 2010 11:42 pm
Great to see England playing some attacking Rugby. definately the better team on the day. But lucky to be awarded the try considering the tackler did not relase the man with the ball.

By Anonymous, at November 20, 2010 8:59 am
@ von, flood couldn't be in from the side because neither a ruck or a maul were formed, you dumb shit.
i am loving laughing at the convicts who can't take a defeat on here.

By tim, at November 20, 2010 3:54 pm
U prick, that's exactly what I did.
I said it was agreta try, heaps of skill, to score from 90 metres out is a massive effort at this level.
I also said Ashton's a great player, egnland were the better team and that the fact they were willing to run it from that position speaks volumes for their ambition and confidence.
So I gave credit where it was due, and by the same token, I also pointed out that it was a blatantly ilegal turn over, just as I would if Mccaw had done something like this.
It was similar to what Gitaeu did, and he got yellow carded for it.

By Jono, at November 21, 2010 4:31 am
Lots of people on here complaining that it should have been a penalty to aus but both flood and palmer get to their feet before any aussies hit the ruck and they're not just going to let genia go a yard away from the England tryline. Genia shouldnt have been so greedy and got himself so isolated and his teamates should have reacted faster. he deserved to get turned over. The AB's consistantly get away with much worse.

Great play by Youngs, Laws and Ashton, Laws in particular in teeing Ashton up. All three are a breath of fresh air to English rugby and can become truly world class.

Its a sensational try given that England were on the verge of conceding only seconds before, and was very slickly executed. People moaning about some mistake Ashton made once, some time ago, need to move on. Ashton is improving at a rate of knots. Everything he does is quality. hes very confident and he and Foden are giving England a new dimension to theyre play and breeding confidence. Even Cueto has returned to some decent form.

Roll on 2011 W.C.

By Anonymous, at November 21, 2010 4:12 pm
Anon, so what youy're saying is that it's ok that Foden and Palmer broke the rules, because if they hadn't Australia were in a dnagerous position right on the try line?
That's what Gitaeu got carded for.

By Bill, at November 22, 2010 2:00 am
No. Im saying that regardless of field position, tacklers cannot be expected to completely release a tackled player before a ruck has even formed. both Flood and Palmer got to their feet before a ruck had formed because Genia was isolated and his teamates were ballwatching. Therefore, any supposed infringement is very borderline, and smacks of sour grapes.

Its funny that many people, Aussies in particular, complain that England play boring rugby, but yet when England put some quality play together, score a great try and beat the Wallabies at their own game, they still find a way have a moan. Some people are never happy.

By Anonymous, at November 22, 2010 1:03 pm
Great try by Ashton - good to see his rugby league skills help him score a cracking try....

Unlucky Ozzie. You are a far better team than (us) England as I have been constantly reminded on this site. Whilst I am sure you are going to excel at the world cup its' nice to have the shoe on the other foot for once!

By NiWiTa, at November 22, 2010 3:19 pm
Anon, what the fuck do you mean they can't be expected to release th tackled player based on field position?
You're saying basically they can't be expected not to cheat when they might concede a try.
That's a proffesional foul, it should be a yellow card if it's deliberate.
The rule is the tackler's must release and roll away if they are in the way.
Neither Palmer or Foden released. Both played the ball. Palmer even layed across Genia, sealing the ball off. These are blatant penalties, just admit it.

By Bill, at November 22, 2010 11:20 pm
Yo Bill, what the fuck are you talking about? read posts properly or dont bother to reply, or just learn to read. 'Regardless of field position' means that field position is irrelevant to the matter, which is pretty much the opposite of 'based on', as suggested in your horrifically bad miss-quote. Anyone would think you brought up on a cattle station.

Awesome try tho i think youll agree. Arnt England just brilliant?

By Anonymous, at November 24, 2010 8:18 pm
Good determination, good work, good finish by Ashton. What were the Aussies doing....

By kaibishin, at April 22, 2011 10:05 pm