Which was the best rugby test you have ever seen ?

Question

Which was the best rugby test you have ever seen ?

Answer 1

1.  (1973) New Zealand vs. Barbarians.  This match featured an amazing number of some of the greatest players in history on either side, and is famous for glorious running rugby by both teams.  Most famous of all is the try to open the match, often regarded as the greatest try ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwCbG4I0Q...

2. (1987) Australia vs. France.  This RWC final was a close game throughout, with the lead changing any number of times.  A dramatic, length of the field try (with the ball going from the right touchline, to the left, back to the right, and to the left again) ended a classic match.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyqRwnXf5...

3.  (1989) Australia vs. Lions.  After having been embarrassed in the first test, the Lions came to this match determined to show that they were not as bad, and not as soft, as the earlier match had indicated.  This match may not have had the sparkling, running rugby that often characterizes great games.  However, the commitment on both sides, and the bitter physicality, made for a compelling spectacle.  This match featured some of Britain's greatest forwards ever, including Mike Teague at the height of his powers.  This series was also said to have been an important source of Australia's 1991 world championship, as this showed them the toughness they would need for great triumph.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9Z2m6Dgw...

4.  Australia vs. Ireland.  Speaking of which...Australia's first RWC championship nearly wasn't.  Their highly favored side went into a seething Landsdowne Road to face an overmatched but determined Irish side.  Australia led for much of the game, but every time they threatened to pull away, the Irish fought back to keep within striking distance.  For a long time in the second half, it appeared that Ireland would finally score to take a lead, but time and again Australia found a way to turn them aside (frequently by David Campese, in one of his greatest defensive efforts).  Finally, with 5 minutes remaining, the home side's determination was too much and they broke through with a dramatic score that touched off a minor (and glorious) pitch invasion and new levels of frenzy in the crowd.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4bn6Styx...

Moments later, Australia's showed that sometimes, in the face of greatness, passion is not enough.  They responded in kind and Landsdowne Road was transformed from madhouse to mausoleum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI_xLUGhr...

Answer 2

2005 the All BLACKS vs the brittish lions at eden park we dismantled them absolutely canned them we put forty points on them and this is the lions this is the best of the best from  the brittish isles  we were all over them like a plague there was nothing they could do they were absolutely decimated

and 1995 the world cup final us and the safricans the day joel stransky broke ma heart with that drop goal eight years old and crying like a blubbering baby

Answer 3

South Africa vs England-RWC 07 pool match.

36-0.

And SA-NZ 1995. Pressure match. What a game.

Answer 4

1) Aus vs NZ at Stadium Australia, I think it was 2003??

AB's ended up winning in a high scoring match, something like 43-41 from memory.......

2) Aus vs Sth Africa, RWC semi final, Twickenham, 1999. Larkham's drop goal in extra time put us through to the final, which we then won for our second RWC!!!!

Answer 5

I'm gonna choose two.

1. For one of the greatest ever ends to a rugby international.  I was at that game in Wembley in 1999. England V Wales.

That Scott Gibbs try.  Wales win the last ever 5 Nations game.  

2. I was lucky enough to be at the France v Wales game in 2005.  At half time Wales were more-or-less out of the game.  The 2nd half comeback was sensational.  It was like nothing I'd ever seen.  Some of the free flowing rugby from both teams was magical.  

It was a very cold night & I'm sure thats one of the reasons the players were extra sharp that night. :-)

Answer 6

New Zealand vs Wales Centenary test Cardiff Arms Park 1980. Outstanding try by Jock Hobbs (flanker) getting outside the winger to score in the corner. Score NZ 23 - Wales 3

Answer 7

Seen on tv would have to be Bledisloe #1 from 2000.

The All Blacks won the match at the death when Johah Lomu crashed over in the corner. (The Wallabies won the return match at the death with a John Eales penalty).

Seen in person would have to be the Wales v All Blacks in 2004. We were lucky to get away with that one (26-25) and the Welsh are always a great crowd.

Answer 8

France vs NZ

1999 World cup.