Last weekends game between the All Blacks and the Springboks has already been dubbed as one of the greatest of all time. I am inclined to agree the skill level, the intensity, the drama, what the game meant in terms of the Rugby Championship. That game had everything. It had so much that Nigel Owens pulled a calf muscle trying to keep up with it.
I am going to point out some of my greatest games, there is no correct answer to this and everyone with have their own opinion but each of these games was great for at least one of the above reasons. There will be highlights of each game, so give yourself some time to enjoy a few minutes of rugby gold.
South Africa 27 Vs New Zealand 38 5 October 2013
This weekends game hardly needs a write up, an unbelievable game in which the highlights speak for themselves. The score makes it look as if the defenses were poor, but far from it, the attacking play was just outstandingly good. The one issue I have with this game, is that something was taken away from this game when Bryan Habana was taken off injured. A hamstring injury took off a player that could have made it an even better game, he'd already scored two fantastic tries after twenty minutes. It was Habana back at his devastating best and he is outstanding to watch in that form. Overall however, an unbelievable game, the skill level was outrageously high and some the highlights package, which does last fifteen minutes still doesn't do the game justice. So if anyone hasn't seen this game yet and has a couple of hours, you could do nothing better than to sit and watch the game in full.
Barbarians 23 Vs New Zealand 11 27 January 1973
Always crops up when people look back at the great rugby games, and of course the great rugby tries. It outlined the Barbarian style of play, the attacking rugby, the fluid rugby. It also featured some of the greatest players ever seen, the scorer of that try was arguably the greatest scrum half ever, Gareth Edwards. From start to finish this game is attacking free flowing rugby from some of the great names of the time. All commentated on by the late great Cliff Morgan, who's commentary on the Gareth Edwards try has gone down in history; "What a score". It's rugby at its most beautiful, and every young player should watch that game, and be encouraged to play with the freedom that the Barbarians did that day.
Leinster 30 Vs Ospreys 31 27 May 2012
The two games above were almost shoe-ins to get onto this list from here on in it is far more personal opinion. This game did have it all, a retiring great in the form of Shane Williams, it was the RaboDirect final, a come back and a last gasp win. Leinster rushed to a 17-9 lead and did what that great Leinster side does, leaving Dan Bigger to kick scraps to keep the Ospreys in touch. Tries from Ashley Beck and then the retiring Shane Williams would get them back in touch, before Leinster pulled away to a 30-24 lead late on in the game. The one the everyone knows in rugby however, is that six point leads are never safe. In the 77th minute the man of the moment Shane Williams, would score on his last outing for the Ospreys, allowing Dan Bigger to win it win the most difficult of kicks. For action drama and what was at stake, this game was outstanding.
Wales 8 Vs France 9 15 October 2011
The most contentious choice of my five. If we are in agreement that Nigel Owens refereeing of the All Blacks Springboks made the game even better, then Alain Rolland did the opposite, or did he? The call was wrong it was not a red, possibly a yellow, but those discussions have been and gone. It made an unbelievably tense encounter which only happens when there is this much at stake, a place in the World Cup final. As much a Wales will still say that they were robbed, it made for a game that no one could take their eyes off. One of the great emotional games of rugby, that left you feeling proud of the Welsh fourteen men although they had just missed out on glory. There are no highlights floating around YouTube of this game because of rights, but I'm sure you all remember it as a must watch.
Ireland 43 Vs England 13 24 February 2007
This was a game Ireland were never going to lose, the first time a rugby game had been held at Croke Park, the spiritual home of Gaelic games. It was also the site of an English massacre of 14 people during a Gaelic football match in 1920. All the history was spoken of during the build up, all the emotions were stirred. An English team that had been very much on a high was sent packing in dramatic style. The game was all but won by half time at 23-3, the passion of the Irish players shone through, and the spirit of Croke Park was clear for everyone to see. Watching the highlights, the first thing you'll notice is just how loud it was that day. They talk about intimidating atmospheres, this must have been one of the most intimidating I have ever seen. The rugby was sublime to match, it really was a clash that will not be forgotten, especially in Ireland.
They're just a few choices for the best games in my opinion, a topic that no one will ever agree on. If you do get chance to view some of the highlights, on this blog however, you will not be disappointed rugby at its finest. The drama, the passion, the skill everything good rugby should be.
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