Most heartbreaking match?

by GLove39 Wed 22 Jun 2011, 3:09 pm

First topic message reminder :

I realise that its a very subjective category, with one fans heartbreak being another's joy. Being a Scotland fan, heartbreak is never far away...

The match that stands out most, and the one I still wake up in the middle of the night with a cold sweat..., has to be the Wales V Scotland match in 2010. Chris Patterson limping off on his 100th cap, Thom Evans lying prone on the pitch following his horrific collision. Despite this Scotland managing to score tries, only for everything to cruelly unravel in the final 20. Cumulating in Scotland ending the match with 13 men, before THAT try from Shane Williams Sad

Scotland-South Africa 2008, trailing the World Champions by 4 points with time fast ticking away. A bloodied and bandaged Phil Godman lines up a penalty from inside the 22 to make it a 1 point game. He sends it wide, the Boks sneak home. (this picture sums up the feeling at Murrayfield that day).
http://www.popeandswift.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/godman.jpg

Other notable heartbreaking matches for me include the Ireland-France game from 2007 with Clerc's last minute try. And the Blues-Leicester drop goal semi final shoot out.

Anyhow, I throw this one open to the V2 community, what is the most heartbreaking match for you?

by Mad for Chelsea Wed 22 Jun 2011, 4:27 pm

As an England and London Irish fan, the two biggest games we've lost in recent times are

WC final against SA.
H Cup semi against Toulouse (2008 I think)
Premiership final loss against Leicester.

The latter for me, heart breaking to lose by a point. Delon, what were you doing kicking down field with second left?

by Boyne Wed 22 Jun 2011, 4:28 pm

I think we will all have to agree to disagree on that one Rodders... the WC comes but once every 4 years..

by Londonwelsh Wed 22 Jun 2011, 4:29 pm

Cardiff Blues 26 Leicester Tigers 26 AET 2009 Heineken Cup Semi Final, Millennium Stadium. The infamous penalty shoot out. The only rugby match thus far that's reduced me to tears. So close yet far......... Crying or Very sad

by **rodders** Wed 22 Jun 2011, 4:31 pm

Boyne wrote:I think we will all have to agree to disagree on that one Rodders... the WC comes but once every 4 years..

Exactly why reaching a SF on it's own is worthless other than improving your seeding for the next one.

Losing in the SF is in some ways worse than getting ko'd in the group stage. It's more respectable but you won't catch me celebrating getting knocked out in a SF.

by brennomac Wed 22 Jun 2011, 4:33 pm

Have to say being beaten 18-0 at home by Munster in the Magners three years ago was pretty painful - especially as I was surrounded by turnip munchers in work at the time. But then the next five matches against Munster were very pleasant especially the 30-0 demolition in the RDS season before last.

Imagine if I was a Northampton fan this year's HC final would be up there in the disappointment league. Certaintly would have been mine if Leinster had lost that match

by PenfroPete Wed 22 Jun 2011, 4:38 pm

1980 - England 9 (3 Penalties) Wales 8 (2 tries)

Spent most of the game with 14 men, after Mr Burnett decide to heed the calls of the London based 'British' media furious

The end of the 2nd Golden Era Sad

by BATH_BTGOG Wed 22 Jun 2011, 4:39 pm

2007 WC Final,

If only the Refs and TMO hadn't had turned up, England could have / should have won.

by Submachine Wed 22 Jun 2011, 4:40 pm

roddersm wrote:
Notch wrote:A grand slam would have always meant more to me than a World Cup semi-final Boyne. Probably still would.

+ 1 again. Definitely still would. I'd trade a GS for a WC victory though...

A grand slam v a World cup Semi is not really the issue for me. The depression that Michael Lynagh try induced, from the crazy high of Gordon Hamilton's try just moments before is possibly the lowest feeling I have ever experienced. Mind you I was a 16 year old and listening to a lot of Nirvana

by Adam D Wed 22 Jun 2011, 4:42 pm

LightningRust Felix McCabe
@
@606v2rugby Ireland v France 6 Nations 2008

LightningRust Felix McCabe
@
@606v2rugby 2007 I mean!

by robbo277 Wed 22 Jun 2011, 4:43 pm

The thing about getting knocked out in the World Cup quarter-final is that you will never know how far you could have gone if you could have just held out for a few minutes (in the case we're talking about). It's not just about making the semi-final, it's about keeping the dream alive and possibly winning the whole thing.

I know it's the same with the Grand Slam, but a loss to France and you still have the Championship and the Triple Crown to play for. A loss in a World Cup quarter-final and it's over. 4 years until you get another go.

by brennomac Wed 22 Jun 2011, 4:47 pm

brennomac wrote:
Notch wrote:A grand slam would have always meant more to me than a World Cup semi-final Boyne. Probably still would.

Sorry Notch, for me if Ireland get to a world cup semi final next September it will leave a 6N grand slam in the ha'penny place. Means you have beaten top teams (inclouding at least one SH team in shape of Oz) to be among the world cup top 4 and the possibility of being in the top two. I remember that semi in Lansdowne when we all went ballistic after Jackson's try and then were devastated by Lynagh's last minute winner. From elation to despondency in the space of a few minutes!

The grand slam was all very nice - but to compare it with a world cup SF - not a chance.

Sorry all, dunno where I got the idea that somebody called Jackson scored our try in the match - apols to the real try scorer Gordon Hamilton too. Maybe I was thinking of Gordon Jackson - maybe had been watching too much of The Professionals or...........even Upstairs Downstairs

by mckay1402 Wed 22 Jun 2011, 4:52 pm

Wales V New Zealand 2004. I really thought we were going to win and then we didn't. I actually didn't know what to do with myself at the end of it. Gutted

by Submachine Wed 22 Jun 2011, 4:52 pm

brennomac wrote:
brennomac wrote:
Notch wrote:A grand slam would have always meant more to me than a World Cup semi-final Boyne. Probably still would.

Sorry Notch, for me if Ireland get to a world cup semi final next September it will leave a 6N grand slam in the ha'penny place. Means you have beaten top teams (inclouding at least one SH team in shape of Oz) to be among the world cup top 4 and the possibility of being in the top two. I remember that semi in Lansdowne when we all went ballistic after Jackson's try and then were devastated by Lynagh's last minute winner. From elation to despondency in the space of a few minutes!

The grand slam was all very nice - but to compare it with a world cup SF - not a chance.

Sorry all, dunno where I got the idea that somebody called Jackson scored our try in the match - apols to the real try scorer Gordon Hamilton too. Maybe I was thinking of Gordon Jackson - maybe had been watching too much of The Professionals or...........even Upstairs Downstairs

Jack Clarke? Gave the scoring pass I think

by mckay1402 Wed 22 Jun 2011, 4:56 pm

Scotland v England 1991 world cup semi final was a gutter too...

by funnyExiledScot Wed 22 Jun 2011, 5:01 pm

Wales vs Scotland last season for me. Compounded by the fact that it ended Thom Evans' career.

by mrsuperclear Wed 22 Jun 2011, 5:10 pm

France match in 07 for me definitely. Just had completely messed up my economics leaving cert mock exam and went straight to the pub after. Historical match being the first ever rugby one in Croke Park. ROG puts over a penalty in late 70's and I thought we had done it. Went from complete elation forgetting that stupid exam in the process to downright ready to shoot myself or, preferably, Vincent Clerc after messing up the restart. Australia in the group stage in 03 was wrenching as well with David Humphreys missing that drop goal late on. Still, we got thrashed by France (AGAIN) in the 1/4's in 03 so I doubt we would have got far had we beaten Australia. I was too young to remember Australia in 95 so the French match get's my biggest heartbreak.

On the whole semi final v grand slam thing. That grand slam in 09 for me was easily one of the best days of my life. Perhaps it means more to us since we only get one every sixty years but I definitely wouldn't trade a grand slam for a semi final.

by **Notch** Wed 22 Jun 2011, 5:18 pm

Boyne wrote:
hughie1986 wrote:Munster v scarlets Heino quarter final, Munster just didn't turn up for it

And that meant more to you than Ireland been beaten by OZ in the last minute in Dublin in the WC??

The mind boggles...

And he's a Dublin lad and everything! Smile

by red_stag Wed 22 Jun 2011, 5:20 pm

Notch but he was a Munster fan in 2007 - it was right between the two Heineken Cups we won. Probably when he was most fervent a fan Smile

I'd imagine that game we were at in Ravenhill was a pretty gut wrenching loss for you Notch!!

by robbo277 Wed 22 Jun 2011, 5:21 pm

mrsuperclear wrote:On the whole semi final v grand slam thing. That grand slam in 09 for me was easily one of the best days of my life. Perhaps it means more to us since we only get one every sixty years but I definitely wouldn't trade a grand slam for a semi final.

Again, it's the Grand Slam Vs the semi-final with the potential for more. If Rumplestiltskin and the Banker from Deal or No Deal got together and offered me the opportunity to go back in time to 19th March, promised me that England would win the Grand Slam game against Ireland and I would lose all memory of England losing that game and the deal I made, but in return England would get knocked out in the World Cup quarter-final I wouldn't take the deal.

by **Notch** Wed 22 Jun 2011, 5:22 pm

There are no trophies given out for a World Cup semi-final lads.

Trophies we can win in order of preference;

World Cup
Six Nations trophy with Grandslam
Six Nations trophy
Six Nations Triple Crown

Stag, it was really gut wrenching. Pienaar missing that penalty and then throwing an shocking pass to give away the bonus point! Hah! Hard to imagine after the second half of the season.

by red_stag Wed 22 Jun 2011, 5:26 pm

What was funniest was the other Ulster fans who kept thinking you supported Munster Laugh

by robbo277 Wed 22 Jun 2011, 5:28 pm

But you can't win the World Cup without getting to the semi-final. The Ireland Vs France game was only a Grand Slam game in hindsight. Had you won the '91 QF who knows what would have happened, but losing the QF means you're out. Without winning a World Cup quarter-final you can never win a World Cup.

by **Notch** Wed 22 Jun 2011, 5:29 pm

That's the trouble with keeping bad company, eh? Wink

The guy who turned round to 'congratulate' me every time Munster scored was a bit of a thorn in the side alright!

by mrsuperclear Wed 22 Jun 2011, 5:29 pm

robbo277 wrote:Again, it's the Grand Slam Vs the semi-final with the potential for more. If Rumplestiltskin and the Banker from Deal or No Deal got together and offered me the opportunity to go back in time to 19th March, promised me that England would win the Grand Slam game against Ireland and I would lose all memory of England losing that game and the deal I made, but in return England would get knocked out in the World Cup quarter-final I wouldn't take the deal.

It's a semi final though Robbo, not a trophy. I don't like putting ourselves down but a semi final against New Zealand isn't much use to me. Being realistic, with our shoite previous world cup experiences to go on, the likelihood of us progressing from a semi final isn't great. You also have to remember that you, being English, have so much more success in the six nations than we do. As I said, we get a grand slam once every sixty years, so it's much more valuable to us than it is to you, and therefore much more important than a semi final, I would imagine, to the majority of us.

by red_stag Wed 22 Jun 2011, 5:29 pm

At least Ulster were able to learn from Munsters kiddies Smile

by Pete C (Kiwireddevil) Wed 22 Jun 2011, 5:47 pm

AlynDavies wrote:hard to say as a Welsh fan there have been so many over the years...

3) Wales 13 - 16 Samoa 1991
This game was sickening really, Wales should of won it but the referee gave probably the worst refereeing decision in history to Samoa. they kicked it long, Robert Jones dived on it over the try line then a Samoan player comes along and dives on it afterwards. Somehow the referee decides Samoa should get the try?!?!? It was a sickening decision and how there wasn't a riot in Cardiff with the referee being lynched is anyone's guess.

The Samoan who scored one of their tries in that match named his son (born in 1991) in honour of his achievement. Young Cardiff Vaega signed an academy contract with Southland earlier this year.

For me, there's a fair list:
1993 - Western Samoa 130-odd, Marlborough 3. We got given the afternoon off school to attend, it was the 1st "big" game I'd been to. And the boys go and concede a world record score. Thankfully the ABs vs Japan 2 years later wiped the record out ...
1994 - George Gregan's tackle
1999 - RWC semi-final. We'd all gathered at a friend's place at 4am, champaign brekkie all ready to go, and ...
2000 - John Eales sideline penalty for the Bledisloe
2003 - George bloody Gregan again "four more years boys"
2007 - Walking down St Mary's St in Cardiff and seeing some French fans with a sign "hey Kiwis, can we buy your finals tickets"

by Feckless Rogue Wed 22 Jun 2011, 6:16 pm

I still haven't watched back on that Clerc try in '07. We deserved to win the game I felt. It was the first game in Croke Park and I was desperate for us to win, which made it worse. And we went on to play the best rugby in the competition that year and would have been deserved champions I think. That made it even worse. The fact that he scored as the clock went red after we'd messed up the restart makes it the most heartbreaking moment in my rugby watching career.

After that it's Leinsters Magners League final against Ospreys. Ospreys really deserved to win mind you. But the fact that we'd topped the league and then lost the final on our home turf made it particularly humiliating and upsetting. I didn't sign on to 606 to discuss rugby for about three months after it. It really was an epic sulk.

by Guest Wed 22 Jun 2011, 6:19 pm

As a player, I played in a league playoff, winner goes up for Kinloss against Waid Academy. It was a hard fought game (about 10-9 or so) and we had a conversion with the last kick of the game that would have sent us up. Our kicker missed. That was a long coach trip home.

As a supporter, probably Wales v Ireland in 2003 (I think) where it looked like Stephen Jones had pinched a win for us, but then ROG went and smacked a drop goal over at the end. That was a mad finish.

Haven't really had many heartbreaking games at the Dragons. It helps that I set my expectations low.

by Cari Wed 22 Jun 2011, 6:24 pm

Heineken Cup quarter final between Biarritz and Ospreys 29 - 28 final score and the O's went home. Sad

by **Notch** Wed 22 Jun 2011, 6:29 pm

red_stag wrote: At least Ulster were able to learn from Munsters kiddies

Careful now Smile

Ironically if we had some of our 'kiddies' on from the outset (like Marshall and Gilroy) we may have been more creative and dangerous in attack!

by The Rakish Brigand Wed 22 Jun 2011, 6:46 pm

Most heartbreaking match? Wales v France at Wembley. I try to forget the score, but it keeps bubbling up in my nightmares. Was it 54 nill?

by johnpartle Wed 22 Jun 2011, 6:54 pm

On the non-national front, I'm not a Saints fan, but felt really sorry for them in the HC final this year after that first half performance.

Toulouse must have been gutted the way they lost the 2004 final. Poitrenaud surely still wakes up in sweats on that one.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned any Lions matches.

by disneychilly Wed 22 Jun 2011, 7:08 pm

Sorry thought the 07 QF would have been the obvious choice. Lots of heartbreaks, seeing Eales kick the winning Bledisloe kick in front of me, Kefu running through Cribb, the 95 final I was spewing much like most of the players. Just am so dirty about the 07 game though. France in 99-well to be honest Aussie would've thumped us in the final and the margin wasn't close so am ok with that and the 03 thumping by Aussie.

Bob Deans' try might have been a historical one. Rhodesia beating us in 49 (not Zim then) wouldn't be as embarrassing as losses to other club teams. The 40-12 loss to Sydney in the early 90s would be the worst IMO.

by Shifty Wed 22 Jun 2011, 7:49 pm

The Rakish Brigand wrote:Most heartbreaking match? Wales v France at Wembley. I try to forget the score, but it keeps bubbling up in my nightmares. Was it 54 nill?

51-0 in 1998 maybe?

by Gaelic-Warrior Wed 22 Jun 2011, 7:58 pm

Scotland's defeat to the Welsh in 2010 was pretty heartbreaking. But for me our 9-6 defeat to England in the 1991 World Cup Semi final takes the biscuit, even if I was to young to remember it properly. Punished for winning the slam the previous year. furious

by Turkster Wed 22 Jun 2011, 8:12 pm

AlynDavies wrote:
The Rakish Brigand wrote:Most heartbreaking match? Wales v France at Wembley. I try to forget the score, but it keeps bubbling up in my nightmares. Was it 54 nill?

51-0 in 1998 maybe?

yeah, 1998. I was there too, a French fan behind me kept jumping up and knocking my back with his knees every time they scored, I must have had the sorest back of all time after that game. Sad

by Knowsit17 Wed 22 Jun 2011, 8:34 pm

The candidates for me:

Australia vs Wales 2007 - Having taken a "nursery school" side down under, Wales stunned the Wallabies in the first half at the Telstra Stadium. Racing into a 14-0 lead very early and at one point sitting comfortably at 20-12, Australia clawed and buffeted their way back to lead 22-20. Hook knocked over a drop-goal which looked to have sealed it at 23-22. From there nightmare land truly began, clearance after clearance was butchered, the Aussies piled it on, the hooter had gone FFS!! Then the ball was swept wide and Stephen Hoiles was in to shatter what would have been a historic win away at a SH giant.
The drubbing we took in the next test felt like a numb blow in comparison.

France vs Wales 2009 - Wales still in dreamland, having equalled their 8-game unbeaten record in the 6N, at the time the top-ranked NH side and looking to make it back-to-back Slams. The French came out all guns blazing. Despite this we managed to establish an early 13-3 lead. Les Bleus raced back first to level 13-13 at HT, then to make it 21-13. Then a lifeline. From 21-16 Martyn Williams caught a long lineout throw and looked to be in. He was somehow brought down but it didn't end there. Wales went through the phases and in open play came within inches of the line. Inevitably passes went askew, a knock-on and the last blissful year went out the window to be replaced by the bland, dazed feeling of disbelief.

The Bok double 2010 - Surely doesn't require much description. Both times exactly the same scenario, Wales battering the Boks in the first half, looking miraculously like a different side. A class above would be an understatement. And on either occasion they bottled up in the second half, with SA powering on to clinch it by three points and four points respectively. Need I say more?

Wales vs Barbarians 2011 - Definitely too recent to enter detail. Maybe not so much a heartbreak in terms of match importance but first time playing the Baa Baa's in a while and a win would have been nice for confidence ahead of the other warm-ups and the WC itself.

Why only in Wales are we taunted with the glorious light of hope only to trip at the final block?

Cry

by Eustace H Plimsoll Wed 22 Jun 2011, 9:33 pm

I can think of a few...

Watching Leicester get humped by Brive in the HC final in our first ever HC.

The Wales comeback against England in 2008, at Twickenham in the 6N. No way they should have won that one... And the knowledge we had to go to Cardiff the next year and so would probably lose made it worse.

Oh, and both the famous 2007 and 2010 beastings by Ireland were pretty painful viewing.

by logie28 Wed 22 Jun 2011, 11:41 pm

Im with Boyne, Ire v Aus world cup 1991. I was at Landsdown for the match and will never forget the frenzy of excitment as Hamilton scored that try, the atmosphere was unbelievable, everyone jumping around, hugging strangers, 50000 odd delirious with disbelief and joy........then silence, litterly silence 2 minutes later as Lynagh scored just below me.....Gutted doesn't come into it.

And was there in Pretoria when Lions lost in 2009, but somehow that defeat seemed inevitable as soon as O'Gara came on! (sorry munster lads, I love him really, in red of Munster or Green of Ireland, but somehow he's a jinx in that Lions shirt)

by nganboy Thu 23 Jun 2011, 1:30 am

I'd probably go with the Gregan tackle because all my mates were at my house.
I felt pretty distraught in 1993 when we lost to England because it was the first loss that I had ever seen against the a British team and all my staff were girls so I couldn't emote the next day.

by Mickado Thu 23 Jun 2011, 7:28 am

Oh I threw an Olympic sized sulk after the Lions second test in 09. It's probably the best game I've seen where my team has lost. Gutting though.

by Rava Thu 23 Jun 2011, 8:39 am

Notch wrote:2007. Croke Park. Ireland's Grand Slam dream on the line. Don't gather the restart- Vincent Clerc. Ahhhhhh.... shoite.

Mine too

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 23 Jun 2011, 8:41 am

rugbydreamer wrote:Scarlets v Tigers in 2002 (I think? I admit I've blocked it out slightly) in the SF of the Heineken. That was just....

That was gutting. Time almost up, one of the Boobyers (Neil?) gives away a penalty, Tim Stimpson's long-range penalty bounces off the post and goes over.

The worst I've felt after a Wales game was when we were beaten 51 - 0 by France in a 'home' game at Wembley under Kevin Bowring. Utter humiliation. Thomas Castaignede was magic that day, but even so there was no solace to be taken from the game.

by Rava Thu 23 Jun 2011, 8:43 am

red_stag wrote:What was funniest was the other Ulster fans who kept thinking you supported Munster

That was funny. Mind you he was blind drunk by the end!! Wink

by whocares Thu 23 Jun 2011, 8:48 am

there is a few but the one that still haunts me is :
SA-France 19-15 SF RWC 1995... those last minutes under heavy rain were just unbearable: huge french pack (roumat, merle, cecillon, gonzales) almost granted us a place in the final with benazzi missing a try for 5cm...nothing was really on french side this day (homecrowd , ref, weather) but guess it was fate that pushed the boks to win this WC (we wouldnt have had Invictus otherwise as well!)

by westisbest Thu 23 Jun 2011, 8:49 am

Has to be Australia beating us in Dublin, world cup 1991.

Damn Micheal Lynagh.

by **Biltong** Thu 23 Jun 2011, 9:07 am

Losing against australia in 1999 world cup semi final, that drop goal from Stephen Larkham.

by XR Thu 23 Jun 2011, 9:17 am

Blues v Leicester - Heineken Cup Semi Final.

Penalties...

by OzT Thu 23 Jun 2011, 12:36 pm

Already mentioned by GreyGhost and DisneyChilly, but from the other side, was the 99/2000 Bledisloe series.

The heartbreak game for me was in Sydney, we had just taken the lead, 3 minutes to go to the end, lost the ball at kickoff and that big fella Lomu ran thru to win it for the ABs.

Though next game in Auckland got our revenge with Eales's wobbly last minute penalty!!

by OzT Thu 23 Jun 2011, 12:52 pm

biltongbek wrote:Losing against australia in 1999 world cup semi final, that drop goal from Stephen Larkham.

Tough year for your lot that year, plus the cricket earlier Gibbs dropped catch and Donald's run no run run!!!!

Hey had your revenge since though huh?? Smile

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