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Mon 4 Mar 2013 | 01:03
The Top 5 Swan Dives of all time

19
Comments

As mentioned on Friday, the Rugby Club in Australia has changed formats slightly, has some new features, and is now called RugbyHQ. Here is a look at what is likely to be a popular regular segment, the Top 5's, starting off with some classic swan dives. 

When you think of memorable swan dives over the years, you'll probably picture something different depending on where in the world you come from, and who you support.

England fans may think of Chris Ashton and the Ash Splash, while South Africans might remember Griquas winger Jearus Nicholas, who broke his collarbone performing one of his signature dives.

Rugbydump regular Sean Maloney, whose dulcit tones could be heard commentating the Reds game over the weekend, has put together RugbyHQ's pick of the Top 5 Swan Dives in recent times.

Starting off with what would probably be more of a flop than a dive, it's big James Horwill against France in 2008. That game was remembered for, amongst other things, the huge fight that resulted in his new party trick - being able to touch his eye with his tongue.

Lelia Masaga's great try against Wellington in the ITM Cup in 2010 got a special mention, but mainly for the celebration, as did Adam Ashley-Cooper's effort in 2009.

At number two it's Bryan Habana's dramatic last minute try against the Sharks in the Super 14 final of 2007, and at number one it's the moment we featured here on RD when it happened, as USA Eagles captain Todd Clever quite literally flew over for a try at the George Sevens.

Each one of these moments can be viewed again, with longer clips, in the Related Posts listed below


Posted By: Grant Constable

19 Comments

  • katman
    10:59 AM 07/03/2013

    How about a bit of this:

    http://www.rugbydump.com/2007/03/74/phillip-burger-insane-dive

  • matthew
    2:02 AM 06/03/2013

    Haha, I just posted links to both of these without even having noticed your comment.

    Are you me? :-)

  • matthew
    1:58 AM 06/03/2013

    Though this is perhaps my favourite swan dive ever.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1914XF8afo

  • matthew
    1:54 AM 06/03/2013

    Ben Cohen FTW!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwmciobL6q4

  • ronan
    12:44 AM 06/03/2013

    i think its funny the cock ashton doesnt get a mention... what a cock!!!!!

  • rich_w
    10:28 PM 05/03/2013

    Can I just point something out to highlight the kind of unjustified bashing Ashton gets.

    1st post - "Ashton behaves like an arrogant tool, I cant wait for his dives to backfire.

    This should be something saved for something special, an important match winner or milestone, not something you do every time you score."

    This post - "but when I first saw his break at the WC where I went past Aus down the touchline I thought that he looked like a great winger, then he dived over and it spoiled it"

    If going 90m and skinning three Aussies at Twickenham isn't a special moment, I don't know what is.

  • alasdairduncan3
    8:14 PM 05/03/2013

    Typical Aussie video missing out clearly the best of them all, as Chris Ashton scored that epic try against the Wallabies.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRpzejrMlEo

  • reality
    7:53 PM 05/03/2013

    I think people don't like these dives (and Ashton by extension) because they think it shows a lot of arrogance. It's a team game, so the argument is that when you score, you should do it in a dignified way, remembering that the team scored the try and not just the individual. When someone starts jumping around the place or dancing, it gives the impression that they're saying, "LOOK AT ME! AREN'T I JUST FANTASTIC?!" and puts all the focus on that player and his celebration, rather than the work that went into the try. Plus, it's not very respectful towards your opponents.

    That's what they say, anyway. Whether you agree or not is another thing.

  • guy
    5:23 PM 05/03/2013

    I see where you're coming from.

    JOC doesn't dive...but he's got a criminal hardo ;-)

  • guy
    10:42 AM 05/03/2013

    Up until about two years ago I would have totally agreed with you. But I am more and more starting to feel that this behaviour is part of professionalism and it can be quite entertaining too (e.g. the caterpillar ehhhhh turtle by Ioane).

    Maybe hypocritical is not the right word. But as soon as I saw the subject was the Swan Dive, I knew there was going to be some Ashton bashing. Whether anyone likes him or not (me myself not too big a fan of him except for the fact that everybody seems to hate him which feeds my sympathy for the bloke), he should not be measured to a different standard.

  • juggernauter
    7:38 AM 05/03/2013

    Juan Manuel Leguizamon. I laughed for two days after that.

  • 3:50 AM 05/03/2013

    Sergeal Petersen's looks so painful! How did the man not break his spine?

  • stroudos
    12:32 AM 05/03/2013

    Absolutely hilarious aren't they? Anyone know if there's a way of watching the whole programme in the UK?

  • stroudos
    12:31 AM 05/03/2013

    The only problem with Ashton's dive is he always bottles it and drops his knee - like Horwill on this compilation, but Horwill's a second row so he's entitled to.

  • guy
    11:53 PM 04/03/2013

    Since there are no rules on when to use a swan dive, you've got quite a hypocritical point of view.

    This coming from a complete neutral.

  • guy
    11:51 PM 04/03/2013

    No Rockococo in the top 5?

  • ramrugby10
    8:48 PM 04/03/2013

    Yep! Best commentators in the world. Tough ask to shorten list of best dives of all time down to just FIVE though.

  • upthelowend
    7:26 PM 04/03/2013

    Yeah gotta admit, much as i hate to say it, they missed a trick missing out ashton.

  • mise
    7:20 PM 04/03/2013

    that was somethin else, that last one by Celver! Ashton has that move branded on the brain thou, but they were a laugh.

    Love the clips from those guys in general - brilliantly casual compared ot so much sports commentary

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