Best In Show so far in 2013

Don't put this in the dog trial section Mods! I thought as we were just over halfway through the year we could look back and think what have been the best rugby matches so far in 2013. These don't have to be test matches. Feel free to choose club matches that you have seen. For example, there have been some good games in the Super 15 like recently the Bulls vs the Stormers. Once again the home derby matches seem to generate the most excitement and the most entertaining footy. As my personal preference is for international rugby, here are my top test matches so far.

1. Wales vs Ireland
The opening game of the 6N as I seem to recall and all three opening games that weekend provided attacking rugby and amazing spectacles. This game had it all. The cliché it was a game of two halves was never more apt than this game. Ireland came out and tore into the Welsh. They got front foot ball and the backs did what many of the Irish posters had always said they could do at test level as well as club level: they ran the ball and passed beautifully and ran good lines. The Welsh looked shell shocked and their disappointments from the November Internationals and beyond could be seen in the body language of their senior players. They were down and out. I'd have paid money to see what was said at half time. The Welsh thought that the game was beyond them but they still had a tournament to play for. They played with no fear and seemed to break the Irish line at will from anywhere on the park. Suddenly, it became not a game of restoring pride but fighting for a game they believed they could win. Enter the Irish determination defending on their line and somehow they managed to hold out the Welsh and claim the victory. A game that had everything a neutral could want and one that stands out for me this year so far.

2. Wales vs England
I imagine Welsh fans would have this at the top of their list but as a neutral, the fact that this game never looked anything but a Welsh win, means that it wasn't as exciting as my number one pick. But we shouldn't take anything away from the Welsh performance on that day. The championship on the line and considering from where they began the tournament and the hard graft in the middle to that final game and you have to tip your hat to the Welsh team. A comprehensive display and one that shaped the selection of the Lions team.

3. Lions vs Australia 1st test
This was by no means a complete performance from either side. There were plenty of nerves and plenty of errors. But it was a proper see-saw battle where both teams at different stages dominated the match. A well taken try on the counter attack by George North and then the little wizard took a tap penalty and went on a better run in my opinion than Fofana against England and put in the most delicate of chips for Folau to gather. The game went down to the wire with a penalty awarded on full time. It doesn't get much closer than that and unfortunately for Australian fans the kick never came anywhere that close as Beale slipped on his run up.

4. Lions vs Australia 3rd test
Despite the final score, let us not forget how close this game was after a Wallaby comeback. Beaten up in the scrums, the Lions got out to a handy lead but a little after half time that lead was down to as little as 3 points. When the lead was 6 and the Aussies were camped down in the 22, Faletau produces a steal. The ball gets shifted to the left wing and a mini break occurs. Shortly after that, Halfpenny receives the kick and chooses to run it back setting up Sexton supporting on the inside. Not long after, Halfpenny, whose positional play all series was immaculate, runs back another poor kick and this time releases North on the outside. The Roberts try was simply icing on the cake. The damage had already been done.

5. Italy vs France
That opening weekend, we didn't know the horror season France was going to have. We didn't know that they would be the wooden spoon holders and come away winless in New Zealand. But what was pleasing to me in this match was to see Italy do something that previously they hadn't done much of before: attack. Sure they had looked to attack at the set piece and looked to dominate teams on defence. But with their new coach, we had got a sense of what they were trying to achieve against New Zealand and Australia. They wanted to offload in the tackle and keep the ball alive to test the opposition line and keep them moving back. Their little maestro at flyhalf, Orquera, had a master game. He took the points when they were on offer but he also took on the line and set up two crucial tries. France were up at half time despite the enterprising display but the Italians broke the deadlock and ticked the scoreboard over and then defended their line to hold out the French and score a memorable win.

So there you have it. My top 5. Honourable mentions to NZ vs France in the second test that gave a master class in tactics and execution of skills, namely in the kicking game. Also to Scotland vs Italy who turned what has traditionally been a dour, attritional game into a game of attack and running rugby.

My outstanding players of the year so far are Halfpenny and Picamoles. A heavy emphasis on the NH but that is understandable as the SH teams are reaching their peak for their tournament next month. How many of my picks will remain at the end of the year. I have to say, it's going to take some special performances in the RC to do so. I must add that I didn't get to see a few of the games. Wales vs Japan, England vs Argentina or any of the mini tournament in SA this June so if you think any of those matches deserve a mention or indeed any other matches this year, by all means put your own selections forward.

Well the RC has drawn to a close and we have some more rugby games to appraise. After the performance of Australia in the RC it's tempting to discount the series win by the Lions. I think though the confidence of Australia was broken in the third test and not before. The Rosario game finally saw them climb out of their trough and the Dunedin game continued to see an upward trend despite their loss.

So I would keep the Wales vs Ireland game, the 3rd Lions test and the Wales vs England match. Unfortunately Italy get knocked out of the top 5 but remain as the biggest scalp takers.

Coming in at number one though is without a doubt SA vs NZ at Ellis Park. A full game is available on YouTube for those who haven't seen it but this game will go down as the best ever in the professional era. It's easy to dismiss the game as soft defence but both sides kept the other other out with incredible defence. Barrett's ankle tap, Kolisi's tackle stand out but both sides snuffed out attacks. The tempo of the game was incredible and the end of the game last Saturday approached that frenetic play but in no way was that sustained over the match. Just an incredible spectacle.

I think number two was the test at Eden Park. The ref took a lot of the blame for taking away from the spectacle but what a spectacle. There was a brutal intensity to this game that was compelling to watch. Cane looked like Robocop at the end of the game and though NZ players went down a lot much like SA in Ellis Park I don't think too much can be taken from that. Both sides were up for the physical exchanges and this match saw the coming of age of Cane. I watched the opening minutes of Argentina and Australia and I had to give up. It was like ejaculating but persisting in thrusting. In the end you just had to stop and resign yourself that you needed to unwind and recharge. I hadn't seen a match this year that matched the intensity of those forward exchanges in that Auckland test.

Notable mentions were the SA destruction of Argentina at home, their first win in Brisbane that set up the Auckland test. Unfortunately we didn't see enough from the opposition to make those tests more memorable.

Outstanding players were Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, JDV, Kieran Read and Folau notably in Rosario.

So my new top 5.
Ellis Park
Eden Park
MS Wales vs Ireland
Lions 3rd test
Wales vs England

I write it and want to move the Lions test further up for what they did in that game. Then I see the games above and think which one deserves to go down. What do you think?

Scotland vs. SA was a top game too. Watching a team given below zero chance & filled with youngsters take the boks on and show little fear was excellent from probably everyone bar SA's point of view.

I did read the match report for that one but can't remember the final score. My recollection was the game got away from them in the end but Scotland was doing well if not better for a good part of the game.

in the lead until 70 i think.

Yeah mixture of lack of belief, calm heads amongst the players and overall better quality on the pitch pushed the game away from Scotland.

The TMO was terrible too.

Still the performance was good and surprisingly entertaining for a Scotland team against a decent bok side as well.

Yes I heard the TMO wanted camera time and was ignored a couple of times by the ref.

Seemed like a good Scottish performance but do you think it's an honourable mention or a good enough game to bump one of my top 5?

Italy France was a cracker, Italy played beautiful rugby. It was wonderful watching them growing into the championship so confidently so early.

Ireland vs Wales too, what a weekend that was.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Yes I heard the TMO wanted camera time and was ignored a couple of times by the ref.

Seemed like a good Scottish performance but do you think it's an honourable mention or a good enough game to bump one of my top 5?

Local TMO... illegally tried to inform the ref of another infringement when discussing a Scottish try, yes or no. He should have got a disciplinary for that. One of the worst forms of local biased TMO infringement's I've seen... looks like its out the door come 2014 so thats all good.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:
2. Wales vs England
I imagine Welsh fans would have this at the top of their list but as a neutral, the fact that this game never looked anything but a Welsh win, means that it wasn't as exciting as my number one pick. But we shouldn't take anything away from the Welsh performance on that day. The championship on the line and considering from where they began the tournament and the hard graft in the middle to that final game and you have to tip your hat to the Welsh team. A comprehensive display and one that shaped the selection of the Lions team.

Surely a misspelling there  

(for the record I dont think he effected the result, just the margin of victory )

Yes, could have been much closer with another ref.  

At club level i loved the Wasps leinster game in the Amlin.

Game of the year will be Ireland v NZ

So far at test italy france was probably the best one. Too many one sided games in the summer.

In terms of interest I'd like to see AUS vs. Wales in particular but I think ENG vs. NZ will be a bloodbath... McCaw et al will want their revenge.

Plenty of good rugby to come undoubtedly but let's stay calm and collected and reflect on the rugby we've already seen, otherwise certain young gentlemen won't be getting their pudding and will go straight to bed.  

Italy v France was a really good game alright. Like your list.

Shame none of the NZ France tests lived up to the hype/expectation.

Yes it was a non event GG and a big let down. The Lions took over all the hype and France didn't have their full quota of players nor the right selections to test NZ enough. Good on defence and at the breakdown but bereft of ideas for much of the series on attack and the ball was never kept long enough in hand to test the NZ defence. Staggering tactics when you think they scored the opening try of the series doing exactly that.

fa0019 wrote:In terms of interest I'd like to see AUS vs. Wales in particular but I think ENG vs. NZ will be a bloodbath... McCaw et al will want their revenge.

Yeah you have got to feel for those poor NZ'ers  

Had the game been in NZ I would expect carnage. Here in reality it could be a lot more interesting

Don't make me take off my belt...

Feel free to start a thread on doozy matches yet to come but not on this watch.  

fa0019 wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Yes I heard the TMO wanted camera time and was ignored a couple of times by the ref.

Seemed like a good Scottish performance but do you think it's an honourable mention or a good enough game to bump one of my top 5?

Local TMO... illegally tried to inform the ref of another infringement when discussing a Scottish try, yes or no. He should have got a disciplinary for that. One of the worst forms of local biased TMO infringement's I've seen... looks like its out the door come 2014 so thats all good.

Whether the TMO was wrong or right, the try should not have sttod, the lrevious ruck Strokosh held back Kolisi and V d Merwe to allow another forwad to make 15 meters towards the try line, from the ensuing ruck they scored.

Just saying.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Don't make me take off my belt...

Feel free to start a thread on doozy matches yet to come but not on this watch.  

We shall have to see how many All Blacks are mysterious banned after unprecedented intervention by the IRB this year - and what's on the menu in the week prior.

Why unprecedented when there is precedent?

So you already know exactly which odious artefacts the IRB will conspire to contrive? Glad you agree it will happen though. It's as sure as a daily mail led hoopla over the Haka...

Biltong wrote:

fa0019 wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Yes I heard the TMO wanted camera time and was ignored a couple of times by the ref.

Seemed like a good Scottish performance but do you think it's an honourable mention or a good enough game to bump one of my top 5?

Local TMO... illegally tried to inform the ref of another infringement when discussing a Scottish try, yes or no. He should have got a disciplinary for that. One of the worst forms of local biased TMO infringement's I've seen... looks like its out the door come 2014 so thats all good.

Whether the TMO was wrong or right, the try should not have sttod, the lrevious ruck Strokosh held back Kolisi and V d Merwe to allow another forwad to make 15 meters towards the try line, from the ensuing ruck they scored.

Just saying.

True Biltong, but that TMO was shocking. A dreadful embarrassment.

Hood83 wrote:

Biltong wrote:

fa0019 wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Yes I heard the TMO wanted camera time and was ignored a couple of times by the ref.

Seemed like a good Scottish performance but do you think it's an honourable mention or a good enough game to bump one of my top 5?

Local TMO... illegally tried to inform the ref of another infringement when discussing a Scottish try, yes or no. He should have got a disciplinary for that. One of the worst forms of local biased TMO infringement's I've seen... looks like its out the door come 2014 so thats all good.

Whether the TMO was wrong or right, the try should not have sttod, the lrevious ruck Strokosh held back Kolisi and V d Merwe to allow another forwad to make 15 meters towards the try line, from the ensuing ruck they scored.

Just saying.

True Biltong, but that TMO was shocking. A dreadful embarrassment.

i thought the Boks were more embarressing on the day to be truthful

Pretty good selections in the OP.

For me the Lions 1st Test was a pretty epic game, with both sides scoring very good tries and it being settled by such a small margin. Wales vs England is probably a close second, for such an awesome display or power and experience against a rapidly improving England side.

When you think about it there have been some awesome games this year. Some duff ones as well mind: Scotland vs Wales springs to mind as an epic fail.

Wales vs England. I went in to the game thinking the best we could do was stop England from getting the Slam. We won it with enough points to retain the title. Felt amazing after the Autumn and opening Six Nations loss.

Aus vs Lions (3rd test). Never seen such a childish reaction to team selection from fans, pundits and well respected past-players. A loss may have convinced Gatland to hang himself. Instead all of this motivated the management and players, and they battered the Wallabies. Also, some of our boys showed up very well and that gave me a glimmer of hope for the future.

Edited OP.

My sons final game for his U10 team.

It was their final, their opposition started with a bang, three tries to nil up before you could wipe the sleep out of your eyes.

The had this little wing that had pace like I have never seen on a nine year old, their game plan was simple, get the ball to the left wing. And he scored every time.

They were nineteen nil down, then just before halftime they managed to score their first try, in the second half they fought back, we didn't have the pace, although our inside centre had a very strong run on him he managed to bring us within 2 points 9we didn't have a kicker.

In the final minutes we were camping on their line, somehow they got a turnover and the same little wing ran in a 80 meter try, they won the game.

Was an excellent example of a school match.

My son was scrumming against the biggest loose head prop I have ever seen, was easily a head taller. so I keep telling him before every scrum to pull the guy down, folding him double.

After the match he comes to me, he says it worked like a charm, every scrum he pulls the guy down he grunts like someone suffocating.

Nice BB. Missed the video highlights of that one. Sounds like a game your son's team should've lost. Makes the top 5 easily for you but you'll forgive me for leaving it to the notable section.  

Was just teasing you mate.

For me the Ellispark test has no equal this year.

Agree that physicality wise it was up to par with Edenpark, but from a mere spectacle point of view ellispark was brilliant, I would say the last 15 minutes desperation In the Boks caused them to many errors, but when you consider how many times the lead changed, the attitude both team had on the field of play it was just great.

Nigel Owens must be thanked for his role in allowing the match to be a spectacle as well.

From a south African perspective it was just such a pleasure seeing us playing with no fear against the All Blacks.

From a NZ perspective as well. Genuine threats and you brought out the best in us this year because we needed to.

While there were some fine international games over the last 12 months, Rosslyn Park v Ealing in National League 1 was my epic game.

Played in appalling conditions at The Rock, both teams tried to play with ball in hand. A great tussle ended in a 16-16 draw - followed by a few in the 'Park' clubhouse.

Hound

Ive often noticed with your posts that your either having a beer, planning on having a beer, or youve just had a beer.

aucklandlaurie wrote:
Hound

 Ive often noticed with your posts that your either having a beer, planning on having a beer, or youve just had a beer.

As long as he's not got any video analysis to do in the morning he should be ok  

Or doesn't try a late night Maccy D's!

I didn't think it was possible but that match yesterday ousted Ellis Park as the best match this year. Tension, tries, controversy it went down to the wire and as a sporting contest it had everything.

Looking back on the year's tests we've had some great rugby and Nigel Owens has played a large part in two of those top matches. Good work Mr Ref.

Yep. Nige has come of age. Fantastic composed performance and unflinchingly fair. Even if that first Irish try looks more and more dodgy the more you see it.

Anyway, the atmosphere was intense, a real credit to Irish rugby fandom and puts paid to the myth that the aviva is a soulless compromise.

You really have to feel for the league boys that their spectacle was so quickly eclipsed by an even more dramatic reprise though right?

I think as a try scoring spectacle Ellispark had the goods.

But for pure test match intensity and importance yesterday's game wins it in spades

I thought the England/NZ League semi-final was probably the best 'rugby' game I've seen this season.

There have been some crackers though.

Think you're right there BB.

The crowd was like the Irish performance. Quiet and withdrawn the previous week and switched on and bubbling over with passion the next.

Don't worry about the League GE. Now they'll beat Australia just before the hooter after coming from 50 points down to eclipse the lot!

Brendan wrote:

Game of the year will be Ireland v NZ

Good call

Indeed! Give us the Euromillion numbers Brendan.