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‘Belongs at the Rugby World Cup’: 49ers star shines in Super Bowl with goosey
The San Francisco 49ers fell painfully short of victory in Super Bowl LVIII after Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes led a memorable charge to glory in overtime.
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But before all the confetti and jubilation of the Chiefs’ second consecutive Super Bowl crown, which included images of pop star Taylor Swift celebrating on the broadcast, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey risked stealing the show.
McCaffrey, who was crowned the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year earlier this week, stunned fans at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium with one of rugby’s most iconic attacking weapons.
Christian McCaffrey is so good
pic.twitter.com/mvpqVUdVFU— PFF (@PFF) February 12, 2024
With the match locked at 19-all in overtime, and with the 49ers parked just inside their own half on a 2nd & 6 play, McCaffrey made a telling burst on the back of a perfectly executed goose step.
The goose step, which is more affectionally known in rugby circles as a ‘goosey,’ aims to throw a defender off as the attacker momentarily changes the speed at which they are running.
It was made popular by Australian rugby legend David Campese.
McCaffrey, 27, was knocked out of bounds about 25 yards away from the endzone. It didn’t end in a score but that hasn’t stopped rugby fans from praising the American for the iconic manoeuvre.
That goosey belongs at the Rugby World Cup!!
Huge play CMC 🔥🔥🔥#SuperBowlLVIII
— Mcebisi (@McMtshali) February 12, 2024
CMC GOOSE STEP GET THAT MAN INTO RUGBY
— this is what i do!!!! 🇲🇿🇲🇷🇨🇮 (@JKing_24) February 12, 2024
CMC goosie #Rugby #SuperBowl2024
— RT (@robtetreault17) February 12, 2024
CMC hitting rugby steps in the Super Bowl.
— POTHDC (@JaxNeutron) February 12, 2024
CMC HIT THE RUGBY STEP
— Southern Charm Sports (@SouthernCharmSp) February 12, 2024
CMC is the only NFL player I think would be a top tier rugby player.#SFvsKC
— OspreysEyrie Podcast (@OspreysEyrie) February 12, 2024
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On the back of McCaffrey’s heroics, the 49ers – let my second-year quarterback Brock Purdy – managed to take the lead with a field goal.
But the Kansas City Chiefs still had a chance to win it all. Then-two-time Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes could win another ring with a touchdown.
Mahomes overcame immense pressure to keep the game alive with a conversion on a 4th & 1 during their opening set of downs, and the momentum that generated carried the Chiefs down the field.
About three broadcast shots of Taylor Swift later, Mahomes made history with only a couple of seconds left on the clock by inspiring the Chiefs’ fourth Super Bowl win in franchise history.
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Mahomes threw a touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman Jr. The Chiefs are Super Bowl 58 champions after beating the 49ers 25-22 in overtime.
“Just the adversity we dealt with this year… I’ve just got to give God the glory, man,” Mahomes told NFL on Fox. “He challenged us to make us better.
“I’m proud of my guys, man, this is awesome. This is legendary.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Mark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
9 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments