It's that time of the year we take stock and look back at the highlights of another intriguing year in international rugby, so without further ado, the IRPA tries of the year
There have been some spellbinding tries in this international year but it was left to IRPA (International Rugby Players Association) to sift through the footage and nominate five outstanding tries.
First up was Jamie Roberts, who finished off an outstanding 80m team try against Scotland in this year’s Six Nations. After Sam Warburton broke away, after Scotland lost a lineout, it was quickly recycled and spun across the backline to Liam Williams who broke 50m upfield and offloaded to Jonathan Davies, who popped the ball inside to Taulupe Faletau. The big No 8 looked like he could go all the way but he passed inside to Jamie Roberts to finish off.
Next up was Cornal Hendricks in the summer Tests against Wales. Again, the move started from deep, as JP Pietersen scythed in-field, to leave a covering Welsh defence scrambling. Pietersen fed Willie Le Roux, who further exposed space out-wide and he whipped it out to Hendricks to canter in unopposed.
Third on the list is Canadian flyer Magali Harvey. In the Women’s World Cup semi-final against hosts, France. After the ball was lost against the head, the ball was spun to Harvey, a full 90 metres out. She set off on a run, hugging the right-hand touchline. Beating the French full-back with a shimmy, she had the pace to outstrip the final French defender to score a sensational try.
Wheels: Francois Wheels: Francois Hougaard scored a sensational try against New Zealand
Fourth is South Africa scrum-half Francois Hougaard against New Zealand in The Rugby Championship. The Springboks broke from deep, and after Jean de Villiers dinked the ball behind the All Black defence, Hendricks collected on the touchline and offloaded to Serfontein, who in turn put Hougaard who was haring away to out sprint the flailing Richie McCaw.
The final nomination goes to England’s Jonny May. Only three minutes into this Autumn’s Test, England spun the ball wide and after a slick Brad Barritt pass put the Gloucester flyer into some space, May pinned his ears back and first skipped outside a static Conrad Smith, and then skipped Israel Dagg‘s last ditch tackle to dot down for a breathless score.
Go Jonny: May scorches Conrad Smith earlier this month
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