With a history of over a hundred years, Rugby has produced countless memorable matches. Deciding on the most legendary is almost impossible – one man’s legend could well be another’s nightmare. And then there is the question of differences in the ways the game has been played over the years and how players have evolved. So, what criteria can we use to decide if a game is legendary?
Probably, the first aspect to be considered is the quality of rugby played. This is highly subjective. A fast flowing game might be exciting to watch but a dour forward battle can be just as enthralling in its own way. The circumstances under which a game is played can also give it legendary status while the importance of the match in a particular competition similarly affects how it is viewed.
With these criteria in mind, the following matches stand out as being deserving of legendary status:
1973 – Barbarians versus New Zealand
Played in front of 50,000 spectators at Cardiff Arms Park, this match is widely regarded as one of the finest ever played. Perhaps scrappy by modern standards, the game was played with the traditional cavalier attitude of the Barbarians and within the opening few minutes Welshman Gareth Edwards went over for a try that had its beginnings with brilliant play from Phil Bennett near his own try line and is viewed by many as the best try of all time. It was to set the standard for a thrilling game of rugby that included six tries and was played in a superb spirit. The result was a 23-11 win for the Barbarians.
2000 – Australia versus New Zealand
In July 2000, nearly 110,000 fans at Stadium Australia witnessed one of the most exciting and nail-biting games ever seen. The New Zealand All Blacks, filled with greats like Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen, Justin Marshall and Tana Umaga, started like an express train and were 24-0 up within six minutes. Stunned in to action, the Wallabies were able to draw level by half time aided by two tries from Stirling Mortlock. Fortunes then seesawed with the home side holding a 35-34 lead with full time beckoning. It was then that Lomu took a pass from Taine Randell, got through Stephen Larkham’s attempted tackle and went over for the winning score to give New Zealand a 39-35 victory.
2007 – Wales versus Fiji
This match, a pool game in the 2007 Rugby World Cup produced a major upset with the Fijians defeating their more fancied opponents and dumping them out of the tournament. A crowd of 34,000 watched as the lead changed several times, Wales opening the scoring with a penalty that was followed by three unanswered tries for the Fijians as Wales paid the price for trying to play the expansive rugby that the Pacific islanders love. Wales fought back to take a 29-25 lead but Fiji converted two penalties to go into the final quarter ahead. But, despite coming back at the Fijians again and scoring five tries to four, Wales eventually went down 38-34.
1936 – England versus New Zealand
Played in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Twickenham, this match has gone down in the annals of English rugby folklore. It was the first time that the home side had ever beaten the formidable All Blacks but, more than that, it marked the birth of a legend. Young Russian émigré Prince Alexander Obolensky scored two superb tries for his adopted country to give England a 13-0 victory. His performance was such that the game simply became known as Obolensky’s match. Sadly, the young Prince was to be killed training as a fighter pilot in 1940.
1974 – British Lions versus South Africa
Strictly speaking, the whole Lions tour of South Africa deserves acclaim. The side was unbeaten and won the test series (won three, drew one). Most notorious was the third test at Port Elizabeth, which the Lions won to clinch the series and which was one of the most violent matches in test history.
Are these rugby’s most legendary matches? Who is to say? One thing, though, is certain – each was a great game in its own way and each had a significance of its own that has earned it legendary status.
The Rugby World Blog 