That Drop Goal...

[SaintsFan_Webby]

Thought I would get the ball rolling on the moments of merit.

My nomination, is THAT drop goal from Jonny Wilkinson which brought England the 2003 Rugby World Cup.


Factors which made the kick so special:

- The pressure. It's the dying moments of the biggest match in your career. Your actions could earn your team the greatest prize in your chosen sport. To slot it over as cooly as he did, especially having missed several others over the course of the match, shows a true mental toughness.

- The fatigue. The guy had played his heart out for 99 minutes in the highest intensity of test match rugby. To still have the physical and mental strength to keep going right to the end is some achievement.

- The foot. For a left footer to slot a match winning kick with his right is something truely special.


Video

 

[Ripper]

There is only one THAT Drop Goal.

Zinzan Brooke vs England. 1995. World Cup Semi Final.

 

[Bullitt]

Originally posted by Ripper@Jul 15 2006, 12:34 PM
There is only one THAT Drop Goal.

Zinzan Brooke vs England. 1995. World Cup Semi Final.

Go away.

 

[wigan_rlfc]

Best drop goal was Wigan vs Halifax (I think) when Joe Lydon landed one from 60 yards simply because there was 'nothing on'.

 

[St Helens RLFC]

I can think of a few important drop goals. Sean Long to win the Grand Final 19-18 in 2002, breaking Bradford's hearts. The same man to beat Warrington 31-30 after we trailed 30-28 with a minute left. Of course, Wilkinson's drop goal too.

But for me, the best drop goal?

Rob Andrew in 1995 to send the Australians away from South Africa. It was absolutely huge, and to quote Andy Gray, "he had absolutely no right to score from there."

 

[Ripper]

I think Joel Strankys drop goal to win the 1995 World Cup was better.

Pressure - He had the hopes of the nation on him... Wilkinson had the hopes of a small group of fans and a bunch of bandwagoners. Stransky nailing that drop goal probably had a greater effect, helping the morale of Post-aparthied South Africa.

And the fatigue Jonny was facing I think was nothing compared to what Stransky had to face. England were dominating that game, if it wasn't for some clutch kicking by Flatey it wouldn't have got to that stage (I still don't know how England didn't cruise to victory in the 2003 Final instead of being pushed all the way they were). The 1995 World Cup Final on the other had the two most powerful Rugby nations on earth - both physically and historically smashing the **** out of each other.

No matter what you up North say about your so called superior competitions, no game I have ever seen matched the physical intensity of that game.

 

[Mr. Laxative]

I'd say the Larkham droppie from 99.... of course, he didn't hit it nicely but it went over - pretty well assuring an Aussie victory.

 

[Wally]

Originally posted by Jacko@Jul 16 2006, 12:36 PM
I'd say the Larkham droppie from 99.... of course, he didn't hit it nicely but it went over - pretty well assuring an Aussie victory.

What made it more special it was his first ever attempt at one at Test level. Up until last night it was the only one he had ever kicked. If I were him I would have saved the next one for something special.

 

[sanzar]

Definately Larkham's 99 droppie! He must have kicked that thing from close to 50 metres and he's never even tried one before! Jonny's a kicking specialist, so that makes Larkham's more special.

 

[sanzar]

Originally posted by Ripper@Jul 15 2006, 10:34 PM
There is only one THAT Drop Goal.

Zinzan Brooke vs England. 1995. World Cup Semi Final.

I thought it was Jonah's 4 tries in 20 minutes that did England in 95...

 

[Ripper]

Yeah, but Zinzan Brooke kicked a mammoth Drop Goal that would've put Jonny to shame.

 

[sanzar]

Originally posted by Ripper@Jul 16 2006, 12:48 PM
Yeah, but Zinzan Brooke kicked a mammoth Drop Goal that would've put Jonny to shame.

Still though, you have to laugh at England against Lomu. I remember how they said they weren't going to get 'sucked into the hype surrounding Lomu' and that they would just play their natural game... After that first 20 minutes it didn't look very good .

 

[Gay-Guy]

Originally posted by Ripper@Jul 16 2006, 11:26 AM
I think Joel Strankys drop goal to win the 1995 World Cup was better.

Pressure - He had the hopes of the nation on him... Wilkinson had the hopes of a small group of fans and a bunch of bandwagoners. Stransky nailing that drop goal probably had a greater effect, helping the morale of Post-aparthied South Africa.

And the fatigue Jonny was facing I think was nothing compared to what Stransky had to face. England were dominating that game, if it wasn't for some clutch kicking by Flatey it wouldn't have got to that stage (I still don't know how England didn't cruise to victory in the 2003 Final instead of being pushed all the way they were). The 1995 World Cup Final on the other had the two most powerful Rugby nations on earth - both physically and historically smashing the **** out of each other.

No matter what you up North say about your so called superior competitions, no game I have ever seen matched the physical intensity of that game.

How could you watch that game again??????

 

[Bullitt]

And this is why the moments of merit thread doesn't work. Miles off topic.

 

[sanzar]

Originally posted by Teh Mite@Jul 16 2006, 07:03 PM
And this is why the moments of merit thread doesn't work. Miles off topic.

Not really. It's all still related to drop goals in a way. Most people just seem to think that other drop goals were more memorable.

Personally I didn't think it was Jonny's drop goal that was the most memorable thing about England's RWC win, for me it was their powerful forwards.

 

[Ripper]

Originally posted by Gay-Guy+Jul 16 2006, 08:01 PM-->

<!--QuoteBegin-Ripper

@Jul 16 2006, 11:26 AM
I think Joel Strankys drop goal to win the 1995 World Cup was better.

Pressure - He had the hopes of the nation on him... Wilkinson had the hopes of a small group of fans and a bunch of bandwagoners.  Stransky nailing that drop goal probably had a greater effect, helping the morale of Post-aparthied South Africa.

And the fatigue Jonny was facing I think was nothing compared to what Stransky had to face.  England were dominating that game, if it wasn't for some clutch kicking by Flatey it wouldn't have got to that stage (I still don't know how England didn't cruise to victory in the 2003 Final instead of being pushed all the way they were).  The 1995 World Cup Final on the other had the two most powerful Rugby nations on earth - both physically and historically smashing the **** out of each other.

No matter what you up North say about your so called superior competitions, no game I have ever seen matched the physical intensity of that game.

How could you watch that game again?????? [/b]

White Mans Magic

 

[Gay-Guy]

Originally posted by Ripper+Jul 16 2006, 08:30 PM-->

Originally posted by Gay-Guy@Jul 16 2006, 08:01 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-Ripper

@Jul 16 2006, 11:26 AM
I think Joel Strankys drop goal to win the 1995 World Cup was better.

Pressure - He had the hopes of the nation on him... Wilkinson had the hopes of a small group of fans and a bunch of bandwagoners.  Stransky nailing that drop goal probably had a greater effect, helping the morale of Post-aparthied South Africa.

And the fatigue Jonny was facing I think was nothing compared to what Stransky had to face.  England were dominating that game, if it wasn't for some clutch kicking by Flatey it wouldn't have got to that stage (I still don't know how England didn't cruise to victory in the 2003 Final instead of being pushed all the way they were).  The 1995 World Cup Final on the other had the two most powerful Rugby nations on earth - both physically and historically smashing the **** out of each other.

No matter what you up North say about your so called superior competitions, no game I have ever seen matched the physical intensity of that game.

How could you watch that game again??????

White Mans Magic [/b]

LeMans or Weber Brothers event?

I am sure that game has disappeared forever from all of NZ!

 

[Ripper]

Except for an unlabeled video tape in my Dad's video cabinet.

 

[SaintsFan_Webby]

Originally posted by sanzar+Jul 16 2006, 09:08 AM-->

<!--QuoteBegin-Teh Mite

@Jul 16 2006, 07:03 PM
And this is why the moments of merit thread doesn't work. Miles off topic.

Not really. It's all still related to drop goals in a way. Most people just seem to think that other drop goals were more memorable.

Personally I didn't think it was Jonny's drop goal that was the most memorable thing about England's RWC win, for me it was their powerful forwards. [/b]

Fine, I also nominate Martin Johnson's 1 metre trundle just before the drop goal, which allowed Dawson to stand to and deliver the pass.

 

[sanzar]

Originally posted by SaintsFan_Webby+Jul 16 2006, 08:01 PM-->

Originally posted by sanzar@Jul 16 2006, 09:08 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-Teh Mite

@Jul 16 2006, 07:03 PM
And this is why the moments of merit thread doesn't work. Miles off topic.

Not really. It's all still related to drop goals in a way. Most people just seem to think that other drop goals were more memorable.

Personally I didn't think it was Jonny's drop goal that was the most memorable thing about England's RWC win, for me it was their powerful forwards.

Fine, I also nominate Martin Johnson's 1 metre trundle just before the drop goal, which allowed Dawson to stand to and deliver the pass. [/b]

I'd vote for that.