Drop-goals have become a stand-out feature so far at Japan 2019
Rejoice! It’s the return of the Rugby World Cup drop-goal in Japan!
It feels like we had written the skill off as a ‘dying art’ but lo, at the 2019 World Cup we have seen a spate of drop-goals that have fired up the imagination.
Did you see Stuart Hogg’s monster DG against Samoa? It was a beauty.
Showboat! ?
Stuart Hogg finesses a drop-goal over the posts from the just shy of the halfway line. Colossal kick#RWC2019 #ITVRugby pic.twitter.com/zagNZw7WLG
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) September 30, 2019
As you can read, it was the first drop-goal by a Scot since Duncan Weir dropped a goal against Italy in 2014.
Was a bit of a slog early on but Scotland have come good. 20-0 up at HT, two tries bagged. And a peach of a drop goal from Hogg. First by a Scot since Duncan Weir in Rome 5 years ago#RWC2019@CastleWaterLtd @ScotsmanSport pic.twitter.com/7y2YMBW6Uz
— Duncan Smith (@Duncan_Smith) September 30, 2019
And as you can see from rugby statistician Stuart Farmer, there have only been 28 DGs from the 20 competing nations since 2015.
I make it 28 in official tests by the 20 competing teams between World Cups. Arg 3, Can 1, Eng 3, Fij 1, Fra 4, Ire 3, Ita 4, NZ 2, Russ 2, SA 3, Wal 1, Sam 1. The other 8 nations NONE between them!
— Stuart Farmer (@Stu_Farmer) September 30, 2019
Like that one from Russell? Well what about the three-pointer from Camille Lopez in the boa constricter-tight match-up between France and Argentina (a kick that ultimately won the tie for France)?
Camille Lopez pops up with a crucial drop goal that puts France back in front ?? #RWC2019 #FRAvARG pic.twitter.com/1DWGebX0Xw
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) September 21, 2019
And then there was Wales…
In their crackerjack win over the Wallabies, they had two significant drop-goals. The first was a start-of-the-match DG from Dan Biggar. At 36 seconds, the quickest-ever in World Cup history.
"HOW ABOUT THAT!"
Dan Biggar has Wales off to a flyer ?#ITVRugby #RWC2019 #AUSvWAL pic.twitter.com/ccxi8tQBm4
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) September 29, 2019
And after Biggar went off, following an HIA, his replacement Rhys Patchell dropped a crucial goal, late on. This was a calm showing from the replacement fly-half.
Biggar ✅
Patchell ✅Welsh precision ??#RWC2019 #AUSvWAL pic.twitter.com/Fiut1gTrzI
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) September 29, 2019
We all know about important drop-goals in Rugby World Cups.
Related: The odds on a drop-goal in the Rugby World Cup final
There was, of course, Jonny Wilkinson’s triumphant strike in 2003 that would win England the World Cup.
? @rugbyworldcup Iconic Moments
? 22nd November, 2003
?️ Stadium Australia, Sydney
Wilkinson's dramatic drop goal sealed England's maiden Webb Ellis Cup in style#RWC2019 #ITVRugby pic.twitter.com/9mve20j07b
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) September 20, 2019
And then there was Jannie de Beer’s record haul of five drop-goals against England in 1999. It knocked England out of the World Cup.
Record-setter: Jannie De Beer kicks one of five (Getty Images)
There were also significant drops from Joel Stransky in 1995 – when the Springboks beat the All Blacks to lift the Webb Ellis trophy.
And there was also Stephen Larkham’s monster DG against South Africa in the 1999 semi-finals.
Well, could we be back to the glory days?Let’s wait and see!
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