Thu 8 Dec 2011 | 04:18
Biarritz score a sensational team try against Montpellier

8
Comments

Zee Ngwenya scored again in the Top 14 this past weekend as Biarritz put together an incredible team try against Montpellier, with the American flyer landing on the end of a serious try of the season contender. Montpellier won the game 30-23.

Talisman Imanol Harinordoquy was brilliant as he handled the ball more than once and offloaded superbly in the tackle as Biarritz worked their way up field with Dane Haylett-Petty, who supplied two outstanding passes, while impressive Prop Fabien Barcella and Ngwenya were up in support.

The Harinordoquy name hit the headlines recently when his father stormed the pitch to get involved in a brawl against Bayonne. Lucien Harinordoquy has since apologised for what he did.

"I apologise to the fans present at Aguilera, from Bayonne and Biarritz, to the two teams and their staff, to the National Rugby League, the French Rugby Federation and the rugby world in general.

"Under pressure for various reasons, I lost all control. I regret having behaved in such a manner during such a festival of rugby," he said. Biarritz accepted the apology and hoped the other parties would too. 

This weekend they face Benetton Treviso in the Heineken Cup, with the Italian side all too aware of the threats that they pose, with head coach Franco Smith picking out Ngwenya and Harinordoquy as two that could give them trouble.

"Ngwenya is lightening fast and, as well as his strengths as a finisher and try scorer, he is also a great chaser of their kicking game. And at the heart of their team is Harinordoquy, he is such an immense figure as their leader and in charge of their line-out," he said ahead of the Pool 5 clash.

He's not far off and this try shows why. Absolutely brilliant from everyone involved.

8 Comments

  • 8:08 PM 10/12/2011

    Hey, this may come as a shock, but SWB did not invent the offload and is surely not the only player who should be known for using it. Umaga was the first to consistently and effectively deliver back hand offloads and Jonah rarely got tackled to the ground before passing the ball. I am sure many of you could name tonnes of players who did so before these great stars.

    On another note, it's great to see Biarritz playing classic French rugby, having a go from anywhere and not allowing the ball to die in contact as has been the trend recently.

    I also have to say that Harinordoquy is possibly the best player in the world right now. Dussatoir played admirably in the rwc final and was immense, but nobody is playing like this guy at the moment.

    Of course, his ability to cheat at the ruck does not compare to Mccaw's at all.

  • 8:12 PM 09/12/2011

    And THAT is why I fucking love Biarritz rugby! A tackle, good counterruck, steal the ball, eight passes through seven different players, and the required strength to stay in and touch it down while being tackled for the try. Brilliant.

    I just wish we could cultivate that kind of running rugby here in the US so that Ngwenya would get set up for try opportunities like that and it wouldn't seem like he was under-performing when he plays international matches (though to be fair, part of the problem is that he's a finishing winger, and not always the type to go infield looking to make himself available).

  • coops
    11:54 AM 09/12/2011

    Leicester fan here - I am genuinely gutted we let Amarosino go. Either we didn't use him correctly, or he wasn't cut out for English rugby, but he is showing everyone what he can do now!

  • coops
    11:52 AM 09/12/2011

    Awesome score, great hands and running lines.

    Feel sorry for the full back Amarosino, who must have felt like he was stuck in a game of piggy in the middle the way he had to keep chasing down different people!

    My favourite part is where the prop offloads and falls over with absolutely no pressure on him!

  • akared
    11:12 AM 09/12/2011

    Awesome try, go the prop!

  • colombes
    10:40 AM 09/12/2011

    ps to RD: montepllier won the match and scored 4 great tries in the same match. one of amorosino was a genius solo effort if u can catch it

  • colombes
    10:39 AM 09/12/2011

    i'm pretty sure that we will see other quality tries in the next following months, but this try will be certainly one serious challenger for the IRB best try award 2011-2012

    Imanol, what else?

  • fettsack
    9:06 PM 08/12/2011

    If only Biarritz could play a full 80 minutes match. This try and the two against Saracens show they can be brilliant. Such a shame they don't win more games.