Wed 7 Aug 2013 | 10:25
The Top 5 Finals Moments of All Time

14
Comments

Following a great Super Rugby final at the weekend, here is a look at five other big games and the moments that made them memorable. Featuring clips from not just the final itself, Sean Maloney and co. have put together a great collection of footage.

Starting with a game that was remembered - or forgotten about - for all the wrong reasons, the 2006 Super 14 final was played in horrendous conditions. Fans couldn't see what was going on when watching on TV, and it's safe to say visibility wasn't all that great out there either.

In 2009 we featured the Heineken Cup penalty shootout, a first for the sport at such a level. It was filled with drama, intrigue an disappointment as Martyn Williams missed a kick for Cardiff Blues, and Jordan Crane slotted his. Bizarre.

A year later in Durban bees caused chaos on the Currie Cup semi final, with the kickoff being delayed for 40 minutes, until they could get rid of them. The referee was stung, as were a few innocent bystanders, but eventually play got under way and the Sharks progressed to the final 

In 1999 France famously beat New Zealand in the World Cup Semi Final, but by the time they got to the final they were no match for the Wallabies, who easily won, scoring a nice try through big Owen Finnegan in the process. 

The 1995 Rugby World Cup final goes down as one of the greatest ever, for more than just rugby reasons. A country was united after a troubled past, and the Springboks beat the almighty All Blacks, who had the seemingly unstoppable Jonah Lomu in their ranks. Nelson Mandela and Francois Pienaar together will live long as one of the greatest moments in not just rugby, but sport. 

Can you think of any other great finals moments that could have also been slotted in to this video?

14 Comments

  • benny
    7:46 AM 09/08/2013

    I actually really like all of the extra non-rugby moments. Everyone complaining that Jonny's 2003 droppie wasn't included is missing the point. Buzzer beaters happen all the time, exciting but not necessarily as quirky, interesting or rare as a swarm of bees, random fog, a drop-goal off or a nation united. #2 was obviously just there for the Aussies.

    Anyone missing Jonny's goal can go watch the buzzer beaters vid again

  • coops
    5:38 PM 08/08/2013

    Leicester v Saracens Premiership Final in 2010 was brilliant too - Hipkiss nicking the ball and scampering over for a last minute try.

  • rememberthemer
    4:41 PM 08/08/2013

    They did win a HIGHLY memorable final. It just wasn't the MOST memorable final.

  • drg
    11:45 AM 08/08/2013

    dislike

  • jimter10
    10:15 AM 08/08/2013

    So England has to turn into a country full of racists to be able to be part of a memorable final?

  • rugbydump
    8:34 AM 08/08/2013

    The reason for that is because it was included in the Top 5 Buzzer Beaters of All time and Sean etc don't like to include moments more than once across categories.

  • rememberthemer
    1:45 AM 08/08/2013

    Why?
    Extra time drop goal by massive favourites to win RWC final.

    vs.

    Extra time drop goal by massive underdogs to win RWC final and help unify a nation riven by racism and violence.

  • eddie-g
    10:19 PM 07/08/2013

    If you can find footage of it, the 1990 Currie Cup final was epic. Saffers of my era will remember, it gave rise to the most famous rugby joke of all time* - What does NATAL stand for? Naas's Arse Taken At Loftus

    *As judged by all sensible people who couldn't stand the Blue Bulls.

  • 45678
    10:09 PM 07/08/2013

    This is the weakest top 5 yet which suggest they are running out of ideas. Shame, it's been a fun feature

    The topic is misleading. Semi finals aren't really finals are they. Also the word moment should be a bit loose.. A 40 minute delay due to bees is not really a moment
    Grump

  • eddie-g
    8:51 PM 07/08/2013

    Leicester-Stade Francais Heineken Cup final in 2001 I think... last minute try by Leon Lloyd, touchline conversion by Tim Stimson, it was all box-office.

    For those complaining that the 2003 RWC final is not there. There's a reason for this. Winning a RWC Final with a drop-goal in extra time was trade-marked in '95... only joking, England fans, you were deserving champs that year. I also see no problem with you import tactics (as opposed to players) from the Southern Hemisphere.

    (As an aside, since 2003, the IRB went ape-crap on copyrighting RWC footage, I wonder if Mr RugbyDump here would get a letter from IRB lawyers if he tried to post the Wiko footage.)

  • finedisregard
    2:11 PM 07/08/2013

    1999 when Kansas State University beat the home side Wichita RFC in a an overtime rainy match to win the tournament. The victorious side all jumped into a pond to find it was a water treatment facility.

  • stroudos
    12:57 PM 07/08/2013

    1:08 - "Carrrdiff"?!? Is that Sean Maloney's Welsh accent?? Sounds more like the Northern Ireland commentator Mark Robson.

    1:42 - That is a beautiful pass by Gregan!

  • drg
    12:27 PM 07/08/2013

    "Beast just ate one"

  • welshosprey
    11:54 AM 07/08/2013

    The bees were hilarious
    Agree with wookie, wilkinsons drop goal needs to be there