Yesterday was one of the most remarkable days in the history of Irish rugby and our poll of the weekend's top rugby play borrows a lot from the incredible proceedings in Soldier Field. To be honest, we could have singled out 100 moments from the win over the All Blacks, but we've chosen the following three as well as two electric moments from the Barbarians and Wallabies games. Let us know your favourite rugby play of the weekend.
1. Conor Murray tackle
With four points in the tie, and the game in the balance, one moment seemed to alter the entire momentum of the game. After a bold kick and chase from Zebo, Conor Murray forced Julian Savea into touch in his own in-goal area with a monstrous tackle. From the resulting scrum Ireland played a move of simple brilliance as Henshaw got the try that sealed the victory. But it all goes back to that Murray tackle, as he summoned a massive burst of energy to bundle over one of the best players in world rugby.
How big was this tackle from Conor Murray? What a sensational performance from the Munster man. #NZLvIRE https://t.co/DknArsHLTT
— eir Sport (@eirSport) November 5, 2016
2. Rob Kearney linebreak/CJ Stander try
Ireland’s second try against the All Blacks was a perfect combination of commitment and skill. Two perfectly executed carries to contact were followed by a line break from Rob Kearney that saw him beat four men and take Ireland right to the New Zealand line. The move was capped off by a finish from CJ Stander that would have made Brian O’Driscoll proud, as he used a low centre of gravity to get right under the defence and burrow over to score a vital try.
WATCH: Try number two for Ireland from @CJStander! Sensational start from @IrishRugby in Soldier Field! #NZLvIRE https://t.co/uR3NdL9UEG
— eir Sport (@eirSport) November 5, 2016
3. Simon Zebo catch
Simon Zebo's catch in the the 60th minute came amidst the ferocious All Blacks comeback and though it didn't have a massive bearing on the outcome of the match, it reverberates as one of the most jawdropping feats ever by a man in a green shirt. The catch left many on Twitter purring and likening Zeebs to his Cork compatriot Teddy McCarthy.
Take a bow Zebo. This moment sums up the level of performance and desire that propelled Ireland to history. #IREvNZL https://t.co/b2DoksNH6N
— Graham Jenkins (@grahamajenkins) November 6, 2016
4. Luke Morahan try vs the Barbarians
The Barbarians almost took another scalp in their famous history yesterday against South Africa; in the end the Springboks managed to save their blushes with a 31-31 draw at Wembley.
But the game produced a moment of superb attacking quality through a Luke Morahan try with 20 left on the clock. The Baa-Baas turned over a ball in their own 22, releasing Taqele Naiyaravoro down the left wing, who fed inside to Andrew Ellis to grubber ahead into the corner for Jamba Ulengo to deal with.
However, Ulengo’s clearance kick ended up in the arms of Naiyaravoro once more on the 10m line. The monstrous winger proceeded to power up the field, taking two men out of the running, before starting a chain of five passes across the field of play - starting just outside the 22 – that ended with Morahan crossing for a try in the opposite corner. Champagne rugby.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk_Kgnyx0ww
5. Reese Hodge try for Wales
The Wallabies made light work of Wales at Principality Stadium easing to a 32-8 victory over Rob Howley’s side. Michael Cheika’s team ran in five tries as they galloped to victory and Reece Hodge’s five-pointer - the Aussie’s second of the day – was a dinger.
From a ruck just inside the Wales half, outhalf Bernard Foley received the ball on the halfway line, giving a no-look pass inside to Hodge on the burst. The second five-eighth powered past four tacklers, then offloaded outside to Israel Folau to claim and beat two more defenders before drawing the final tackler, Leigh Halfpenny, and feeding back inside to Hodge to finish off. A perfect example of free-flowing Aussie rugby.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvvovfOVwCg
(stars at .49)
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