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5 magical moments of the Rugby World Cup so far
Global tournaments are always special events and the Rugby World Cup is no different. We’re not even at the knockout stage yet and already this tournament has delivered in spades.
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Off the pitch, the hosts have been superb, with locals embracing the teams they are hosting, mascots learning and delivering the anthems with gusto, and, of course, super-fan Bak-San. On the pitch, from underdog upsets to individual acts of brilliance, fans are being spoilt – and there’s so much more to come.
We take a look at the five most magical moments so far.
5 – Nasi Manu’s comeback
After being diagnosed with testicular cancer, the back rower made his return to international rugby in Tonga’s opening RWC game, when the announcement of his substitution was met with a standing ovation from those in the stadium. From being so weak from chemotherapy that he struggled to climb stairs, Manu is back in business and has achieved his dream of playing in a world cup.
A touching moment between Nasi Manu and his family after his first match at #RWC2019. Incredible the adversity he has overcome and great to see him out on the pitch for #ENGvTGA pic.twitter.com/BmarWJcJgX
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 22, 2019
4 – Camille Lopez’ drop goal
It’s since become clear that drop goals are very definitely back in this Rugby World Cup but that wasn’t obvious when Lopez nailed an insouciant, 38m effort to win the game for France against their pool rivals Argentina in the first weekend. It looked like momentum was shifting against France but Lopez’ effort reminded us all of the drop goal’s value, as well as reminding fans of the French glory days.
38 metres out.
Camille Lopez slots a winning drop goal for @FranceRugby at #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/35W695nD4U
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 22, 2019
3 – Kenki Fukuoka scores to give Japan the lead against Ireland
Keen observers may have spent the build-up to this tournament telling anyone who would listen that Japan are no longer the upstarts of 2015 but this was the moment that proved it to the world and set the tournament alight. Fukuoka wasn’t even supposed to be in the matchday 23 originally but he took his moment nervelessly to announce the host’s arrival as a serious contender.
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Brilliant hands 👏
Calm finish ✅
Absolute drama 😮🤯💥@JRFURugby 🇯🇵#RWC2019 #JPNvIRE pic.twitter.com/ycoQbprM2S
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 29, 2019
2 – Juan Manuel Gaminara’s interview
Any global tournament needs an underdog to really get things going and Gaminara delivered handsomely, leading his team to a surprise victory and giving a tearily proud post-match interview that would have moved the most gnarled of observers. Uruguay might still end up bottom of Pool D but their exploits against Fiji and the new fame of their captain could turbo-charge the game back home, as well as acquire them a legion of new fans.
¡FELICITACIONES CAPITÁN!@Juangaminara @RugbyUruguay #RWC2019 #RWCKamaishi #FIJvURU #WebbEllisCup pic.twitter.com/j22mhDlYvK
— Rugby World Cup ES (@rugbyworldcupes) September 25, 2019
1 – TJ Perenara’s try against Namibia
For all the fairytales and human moments that make a RWC memorable, it’s still about the rugby – the chance for the best players to execute their skills on a global stage. And my oh my, did Perenara deliver with New Zealand’s final try against Namibia. The break, the cheeky offload from Brad Weber, and then the breathtaking finish in the corner – it had everything you could want. Pure magic.
What.
A.
Try.@AllBlacks ✨🔥💯#RWC2019 #NZLvNAM pic.twitter.com/XIo41KSWmT
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 6, 2019
Watch: Matt Giteau and Mike Tindall predict their World Cup winners
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Comments on RugbyPass
Bar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
35 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
35 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
35 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
35 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
35 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
35 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
35 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
18 Go to comments