Six Memorable Moments From The NRL Grand Final
The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks finally broke their 50-year title drought in a pulsating Grand Final win over the Melbourne Storm in Sydney on Sunday night. Jamie Wall recaps.
Watch the NRL Grand Final: Full Game | Condensed
There will be some sore heads and hazy memories in Sutherland Shire this morning after the 14-12 win, but there’s one thing no Sharks fan will ever forget: the sight of the ultimate club man Paul Gallen lifting the Premiership trophy over his head to end 50 years of title despair.
It wasn’t the only moment worth remembering from a tense and physical title decider, though. Here are some of the best (or worst, depending how you look at it) moments:
1. The pre-match entertainment
Just what sort of voodoo curse the NRL used to resurrect the corpse of Richie Sambora will most likely remain a mystery, but let’s look on the bright side. By only shelling out for a Bon Jovi tribute act instead of the real thing, the NRL probably saved a lot of money that can be put into continuing to prop up the Gold Coast Titans. Also, at least Keith Urban looked in good shape and Jessica Mauboy got to do more than just sing the national anthem this year.
2. This pre-game dab
https://twitter.com/MakaMakatoa6/status/782486108886011904
Not sure what this young bloke’s name is, but he definitely livened up the pre-show retirement ceremony with a textbook dab. Despite carrying a large banner honouring retiring Bulldogs legend Sam Perrett, the teen executed the move to perfection. However, it must be noted that the dab is very much last year’s move. Originator Cam Newton now prefers a new celebration dance in 2016.
3. The Sharks’ good old-fashioned scrum move
Ben Barba’s opening try had older fans all misty-eyed at its simplicity and cunning. It paid homage to the good old days of punch ups, wild hair and when scrums actually meant something other than a short rest. Storm fans should be spewing – they’ve used similar moves to great success over the years. Getting bitten by your own sneaky play has got to hurt.
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4. When Koroibete got put on report in his last game of league
Referee Ben Cummins made a great call that even the most ardent Storm fan couldn’t argue with when Marika Koroibete tried to take Chad Townsend’s head off. The resulting penalty proved to be the difference between the two teams at fulltime, and Cummins also put Koroibete on report. Only one problem with that: the winger probably couldn’t care less what the NRL judiciary makes of the tackle as the next game he’ll be playing will be a different sport when he turns out for the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby.
5. The matchwinner
It’s fitting that a literal colossus of the game, Andrew Fifita, got to have the last say in the Grand Final. The New South Wales, Kangaroo and 141-game NRL veteran is the perfect star to be emblazoned on highlight reels in the years to come. Unless, of course, you’re a part of the NRL Integrity Unit or NSW Police, who are probably still very concerned about Fifita’s links to a convicted killer.
6. Paul Gallen’s post-match interview
A dead set classic. Enjoy.
Comments on RugbyPass
Instead of apologising, try to act like an adult, fcknut.
1 Go to commentsLooks like the Force twisted his leg…ahem arm
5 Go to commentsScotland should change their name to the Barbarians
2 Go to commentsThe game was already over leave the bloke alone ….from a Welsh fan 😀👍
2 Go to commentsShamefully the Toulouse players acted like footballers, falling down feigning injury at the slightest knock. About time refs penalised this play acting.
7 Go to commentsAnother non Scot for the anti Scot Townsend. Soon there will be no Scottish born and bred players in the National team.
2 Go to commentsGreat comeback to the playing field by Richie Mo’unga after the loss of his father. A great performance by Richie . I know him well and he is a great guy. On and off the field one of the greatest for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson would have loved him in his All Black’s side. A very missed player and person.
2 Go to commentsYeah nah he comes across as a funny bloke, but that stopped abruptly after the Nutcracker Prince debacle✋
2 Go to commentsAt this point I can’t watch him without thinking he’s a dirty slimebag. He should have been banned for the same amount of time that Quinn was out. It took Tupaea near on a fricking year to get fit enough to play again and his leg will never be the same. The other crap thing is that he was at ABs level and now he has to claw his way back there when he could have had several games under his belt.
5 Go to commentsThe Black Ferns 7’s have been without Captain Sarah Hirini now since Dec 23 in Dubai where she suffered a bad ACL injury - hopefully she is on the road to recovery for Madrid and Paris. Now also have Tyler King and Shiray kaka on the Injured List but the Team still found a way to win in Singapore and claim the overall Title.
1 Go to commentsUtter grub, hope he gets his leg broken. Shocking he is still playing after intentionally breaking quinn tupaeas knee
5 Go to commentsGreat to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
5 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
16 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
16 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
16 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
7 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
7 Go to comments