Rugby video roundup 2006

rugby

Here’s my summary of the rugby year in video, albeit with an ever so slightly Irish bias. Running total: 20 clips and counting.

Six Nations 2006

Brian O'Driscoll - from eoghanmcn on flickr France won the competition on points difference over Ireland , who again win the Triple Crown by beating Wales , Scotland and England . Ita-who?

  • Ireland 26 v 16 Italy
  • France 43 v 31 Ireland – almost the greatest comebacks in history, if only the game had been 15 minutes longer
  • France 31 v 6 England Youtube video highlights
  • Ireland 31 v 5 Wales
  • Ireland 15 v Scotland 9
  • England 24 v Ireland 28 YouTube video highlights (which also includes Wales – France)

Yes, unfortunately in 2006, there were only 6 games played.

2006 Six Nations Championship on wikipedia and on BBC Sport.

Celtic League 2006 :

The league went down to the last round with Ulster and Leinster both in contention. With Leinster’s victory over Edinburgh and with Ulster losing against the Ospreys, it looked like the title would go to the Dubs but David Humphreys had other ideas. He kicked a last minute 40 metre drop goal to take the game and the title for Ulster.

This years competition, now with the title sponsorship from Magners, started with Ulster the team to beat. They’re still leading the table with only 3 losses, including losing to Leinster the famous “Last Stand” – the actual last game in the old Lansdowne Road. That victory put Leinster second. Here’s a moment of genius from Brian O’Driscoll in that game:

Heineken Cup 2006

HC Final - from alexcjones on flickrEven if you’re dead, you probably still know that Munster won the 2006 Heineken Cup, their 28th attempt in recent history.

They beat Biarritz (who went on to become French champions) 23 points to 19 in the fantastic Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, which seems to be turning out to be just as good a hunting ground for Irish teams as it’s predecessor was.

TriNations

Ireland tour New Zealand

Another “nearly” game – two stupid mistakes cost us dearly. We have still to record our first victory over them. Let it be October 20th 2007, may it please you, oh rugby Gods!

The AB’s didn’t make the mistake of underestimating us in the 2nd game.

Autumn International Series

I couldn’t leave out this fantastic television ad for the series! I wouldn’t have left out that fantastic television ad but for the fact that the buggers had it removed. What kind of idiot broadcaster demands removal of an advertisement for itself?

A master class of a first half from Ireland, utterly destroying the Australia ns while playing into the weather in the first half. Sweet, sweet victory to lord over the Masters of Gloat from Down Under.

Try of the Year?

And just to shift gears for a minute, I’ll have to agree with the South Africa commentators who suggest that this is probably the try of 2006. Well, it’s definitely the individual try of the year… a 20 phase try from you know who might also be in the running!

Bonus videos

I was so disappointed that the cool ad for the Autumns was pulled, maybe this will make up somewhat… comparison of rugby and soccer WC finals:

Ok, that’s it for the moment. Not a bad year for Irish rugby – here’s hoping 2007 is a step (or two) better, eh Tom?

Leave a comment with video links for other games you think I should add, or in the highly unlikely chance that I’ve made a mistake with match details.