Wed 13 Feb 2008 | 08:02
Paul Thorburns legendary penalty kick from 1986

7
Comments

Last weekend in the Six Nations Wales were awarded a Penalty close to the half way line. The commentators jokingly said 'Bring back Paul Thorburn'.



For those of you who heard that comment and didn't really understand what it meant, I've managed to track down this excellent quality video of a moment of legend, thanks to a Rugbydump fan who sent me the link.



In the 1986 Five Nations game between Wales and Scotland at Cardiff Arms park, Welsh fullback Paul Thorburn put over one of the biggest kicks you will ever see, at just over 60 meters.



The commentary of the legendary Bill McLaren makes it even more special, combined with the fact that he kicked it from a divot he created in the grass - there were no proper tees back then.



An amazing feat that will go down in Welsh rugby folklore for being probably the biggest kick to ever be seen on the international rugby stage.



And to rub salt into the wound, he followed it up with an easy 49m penalty a few minutes later.



7 Comments

  • jacocl
    11:11 PM 29/07/2014

    Sorry if I may not pos a link but here is a South African school boy of 18 years that kicked one over from 80meters. Unfortunately it is in Afrikaans. Gerrie Labuschagne of Bloemfontein.
    http://www.beeld.com/nuus/2014-07-29-seun-klits-bal-80m-ver-oor-die-pale

  • bridkid
    1:09 PM 27/01/2014

    that's 74m by the way. Ernie is still alive and is the President of Bridlington RFC, my old club :)

  • 1:08 PM 27/01/2014

    actually the longest kick was In 1944, Ernie Cooper landed an 81-yard penalty for Bridlington School's first XV against an Army XV, the longest successful authenticated penalty ever.

  • hookertomo
    4:58 PM 24/02/2013

    In 1944, Ernie Cooper landed an 81-yard penalty for Bridlington School's first XV against an Army XV, the longest successful authenticated penalty ever.
    England always has had better booters then Wales.

  • ajjenkins
    11:00 PM 15/04/2012

    its funny cos hes so skinny but kicks it so far

  • runningrugby4
    7:32 PM 12/04/2012

    Ah whatever happened to small backs? what makes this kick so awsomn is that these blokes are midgets compared to today's rugger buggers. It would'nt be half as awsomn if a player like steyn, halfpenny or johnny did that

  • runningrugby4
    7:32 PM 12/04/2012

    Ah whatever happened to small backs? what makes this kick so awsomn is that these blokes are midgets compared to today's rugger buggers. It would'nt be half as awsomn if a player like steyn, halfpenny or johnny did