Fri 29 Aug 2014 | 05:36
Tawera Kerr-Barlow sets up try with sensational behind the back pass

7
Comments

Waikato lost 46-17 to Taranaki in the ITM Cup on Wednesday, conceding six tries in Hamilton, but it was the home side that provided the moment of the match. Trailing and in need of something special, Tawera Kerr-Barlow delivered in the second half. 

The released All Black contributed towards Waikato's first try in the 43rd minute, scored by Declan O'Donnell, with a flick pass, but it was the second in particular that was from another planet.

We've seen similar reverse type passes before, namely with Brock James and Tamati Ellison last year, but those - equally brilliant - were to do with momentum. This was a stationary, calculated decision, and he pulled it off perfectly. Straight to hand, and certainly not forward.

Taranaki picked up their biggest win against their provincial neighbours, as Marty McKenzie scored two of his team's tries, and kicked six from eight attempts at goal. Waikato's only tries were those by Joe Webber and O'Donnell in what was a good few minutes, having trailed 27-3 at the break.

The 46-17 loss comes a week after being thumped 58-27 by Canterbury. They face North Harbour on Saturday, while Taranaki take on Auckland away on Sunday. 

While this pass won't mean too much to the Waikato outfit after a loss like that, it's well worth watching again. Another thing to note is that the advantage was only called by the referee after he made the pass, not before, so it took a lot of skill and a serious amount of self-belief to pull it off.

The updated video below includes the assist for the first try, as well as the pass for the second

7 Comments

  • kadova
    8:52 PM 02/09/2014

    What's Rippa rugby? (hope i don' sound stupid)

  • djhemz
    10:40 PM 01/09/2014

    Basically this stuff starts when we're at school. Non just small guys, the props get in on it as well. 2x sports help the ball in hand game when we're younger, 'Touch Rugby' for kids/adults and 'Rippa Rugby' for younger kids.

  • juggernauter
    11:28 PM 31/08/2014

    NZ's got Aaron Smith, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and TJ Perenara vying for the no. 9 shirt and can possibly field two world class XVs. What on earth do they feed kids over there!

  • 10stonenumber10
    3:29 AM 31/08/2014

    I can understand a coaches frustration... At the top level, if your team enters the red zone, you should leave with points. "We scored the try, but if you do that again you're walking home!"

    At the same time though, these guys are good enough ball players to know what they are capable of.

    That is the mark of a confident scrum half. Not somebody who knows his 9 shirt is nailed down, but someone who knows their own abilities, and backs themselves. When there is competition for a place, things like that set you apart. Rugby is best played when you are having fun, that was as relaxed a move as you'll see, straight off a Sunday chuck about in the park and into the top tier.

  • 2:54 AM 31/08/2014

    It's funny, continually smashing the ball at the line and eventually knocking on would be considered frustrating but not outlandish by most coaches, whereas this pass, a legit attempt to catch the opposition off guard is seen as too risky. Well played 9, well played coach encouraging this type of freedom

  • drg
    11:24 AM 30/08/2014

    Gravitational pull and the laws of physics don't apply in NZ..

  • 10:50 AM 30/08/2014

    New Zealand... Where the magic is made. Brilliant skill, love to see something like that in the northern hemisphere.