Greatest test match ever?

Derwyn · Post by **Derwyn** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 2:38 pm

I would probably say South Africa Vs British & Irish Lions - 2nd Test 2009.

Ulsters Red Hand · Post by **Ulsters Red Hand** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 2:51 pm

Couldn't put a year or anything on these, but the Blesidoe Cup game, I think 2015, was a cracker
SA vs NZ around that same time, maybe slightly earlier, was great as well

Lions - third test in the '13 tour and second test in the '17 tour were great but perhaps not all time great

From an Ireland perspective, the NZ game in Chicago, and in 2018 are highlights and the England game in 2018 to win the slam at Twickenham is up there too of recent times

de_Selby · Post by **de_Selby** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:11 pm

Ulsters Red Hand wrote:SA vs NZ around that same time, maybe slightly earlier, was great as well

I think it was 2013, that was a phenomenal match.

I think the OP has it though, second Lions test in 2009 for me

Actually the WC SF between England and NZ was right up there too

Sandstorm · Post by **Sandstorm** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:29 pm

de_Selby wrote:
Actually the WC SF between England and NZ was right up there too

1995 or 2019?

massive_field_goal · Post by **massive_field_goal** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:33 pm

Kolkata, 2001

boere wors · Post by **boere wors** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 8:43 pm

Derwyn wrote:I would probably say South Africa Vs British & Irish Lions - 2nd Test 2009.

Best test that i ever saw. Still talk about that game today regularly. Had it all.

boere wors · Post by **boere wors** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 8:44 pm

Sandstorm wrote:
de_Selby wrote:
Actually the WC SF between England and NZ was right up there too
1995 or 2019?

both good games but far too single sided

Conspicuous · Post by **Conspicuous** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 8:49 pm

France v NZ ‘99 and ‘07

Lacrobat · Post by **Lacrobat** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 9:18 pm

Is isolation giving everyone amnesia? The game from heaven was the 2000 Tri-Nations match between NZ and Australia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDfkCftBurQ

The biggest crowd (100,000+) in history, some of the greatest players from either country on display, fantastic try scoring, nail-biting down to the wire outcome. What's not to love?

Post by **Thomas** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 10:17 pm

Lacrobat wrote:Is isolation giving everyone amnesia? The game from heaven was the 2000 Tri-Nations match between NZ and Australia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDfkCftBurQ

The biggest crowd (100,000+) in history, some of the greatest players from either country on display, fantastic try scoring, nail-biting down to the wire outcome. What's not to love?

Yep.

This match.

NZ 24-0 after 7 minutes! Australia ahead at halftime and then leading with minutes to go only for Lomu to stroll over. 100K people. I remember watching it in a pub and some kiwis came over and sat with us and we all just shook our heads and smiled. We knew we'd witnessed greatness.

Of course, Nobody kicked Australia to Bledisloe Cup glory in the next match so the loss didn't hurt that badly.

mdaclarke · Post by **mdaclarke** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 10:43 pm

boere wors wrote:
Derwyn wrote:I would probably say South Africa Vs British & Irish Lions - 2nd Test 2009.
Best test that i ever saw. Still talk about that game today regularly. Had it all.

Recorded it on Sky this weekend and watched it. Was epic.

boere wors · Post by **boere wors** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 11:23 pm

mdaclarke wrote:
boere wors wrote:
Derwyn wrote:I would probably say South Africa Vs British & Irish Lions - 2nd Test 2009.
Best test that i ever saw. Still talk about that game today regularly. Had it all.
Recorded it on Sky this weekend and watched it. Was epic.

I have just found it in 720p on youtube:

1st half: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnUojJaIyB0
2nd half: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxWNkxK-8h8

Will watch it tomorrow evening, looking forward to it, haven't seen it since then

iarmhiman · Post by **iarmhiman** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 11:30 pm

That's easy.
Wembley 1999 Wales v England is the greatest test match.

CrazyIslander · Post by **CrazyIslander** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 5:34 am

Bledisloe 2000 Sydney.
Bledisloe 1994, Sydney
RWC SF NZ vs Fra 1999, London

brat · Post by **brat** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 6:00 am

Lacrobat wrote:Is isolation giving everyone amnesia? The game from heaven was the 2000 Tri-Nations match between NZ and Australia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDfkCftBurQ

The biggest crowd (100,000+) in history, some of the greatest players from either country on display, fantastic try scoring, nail-biting down to the wire outcome. What's not to love?

Yep bled 2000 was the best - amazing game

kiap · Post by **kiap** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 6:07 am

Thomas wrote:
Lacrobat wrote:Is isolation giving everyone amnesia? The game from heaven was the 2000 Tri-Nations match between NZ and Australia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDfkCftBurQ

The biggest crowd (100,000+) in history, some of the greatest players from either country on display, fantastic try scoring, nail-biting down to the wire outcome. What's not to love?
Yep.

This match.

NZ 24-0 after 7 minutes! Australia ahead at halftime and then leading with minutes to go only for Lomu to stroll over. 100K people. I remember watching it in a pub and some kiwis came over and sat with us and we all just shook our heads and smiled. We knew we'd witnessed greatness.

Of course, Nobody kicked Australia to Bledisloe Cup glory in the next match so the loss didn't hurt that badly.

This

naki · Post by **naki** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 6:09 am

I’ve talked up that ‘09 Lions game many times now, it really does stand out as being particularly memorable for a neutral. The 2000 Bledisloe is obviously right up there. But it surely has to be the Brighton Miracle now. The pure shock of it, the stage, the quality of the tries and the sheer testicles required to get to that ending; it has to be in the conversation.

Clogs · Post by **Clogs** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 6:41 am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-t0PcxxXAY

And I was at that game. That finish still gives me wood.

CrazyIslander · Post by **CrazyIslander** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 7:01 am

Clogs wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-t0PcxxXAY

And I was at that game. That finish still gives me wood.

Points from that game
- Otto going off for 30mins then coming back to replace Andrews.
- After scrum collapse, from rowers getting up in position and re-bind immediately. Unlike these days of players walking off then come back.

- cant believe Tiechman was dropped for RWC'99.

boere wors · Post by **boere wors** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 7:29 am

naki wrote:I’ve talked up that ‘09 Lions game many times now, it really does stand out as being particularly memorable for a neutral. The 2000 Bledisloe is obviously right up there. But it surely has to be the Brighton Miracle now. The pure shock of it, the stage, the quality of the tries and the sheer testicles required to get to that ending; it has to be in the conversation.

Problem with brighton is that in the end it was a meaningless pool game. An arrogant, underprepared bok b team against a tier 2 nation firing on all holes. Certainly the biggest upset ever in Rugby, especially given its stage at a RWC, if not of all sports. But best game?
What weightes especially heavy in the question of the best game is the occasion of the match imo. A bledisloe game, a tri or six nations decider, a RWC knockout match or a lions test are unmatched in intensity, hence the 2000 bled, 2013 SA v NZ or 2009 lions are certainly in contention.

Shrekles · Post by **Shrekles** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 7:35 am

Thomas wrote:
Lacrobat wrote:Is isolation giving everyone amnesia? The game from heaven was the 2000 Tri-Nations match between NZ and Australia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDfkCftBurQ

Of course, Nobody kicked Australia to Bledisloe Cup glory in the next match so the loss didn't hurt that badly.

A drawn series probably does seem like Bledisloe glory after all these years, huh?

Tehui · Post by **Tehui** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 7:36 am

From a NZ perspective, it would surely have to be 1956 All Blacks v Springboks, 4th test.

Mahoney · Post by **Mahoney** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:35 am

Lacrobat wrote:Is isolation giving everyone amnesia? The game from heaven was the 2000 Tri-Nations match between NZ and Australia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDfkCftBurQ

The biggest crowd (100,000+) in history, some of the greatest players from either country on display, fantastic try scoring, nail-biting down to the wire outcome. What's not to love?

Watching it now; it was a supremely forgettable Kiwi pack & centre partnership.

Post by **Thomas** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:39 am

Shrekles wrote:
Thomas wrote:
Lacrobat wrote:Is isolation giving everyone amnesia? The game from heaven was the 2000 Tri-Nations match between NZ and Australia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDfkCftBurQ

Of course, Nobody kicked Australia to Bledisloe Cup glory in the next match so the loss didn't hurt that badly.
A drawn series probably does seem like Bledisloe glory after all these years, huh?

I think any drawn series where you get to walk away with the trophy is glorious. English cricket fans probably feel the same way.

Post by **Thomas** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:41 am

Mahoney wrote:
Lacrobat wrote:Is isolation giving everyone amnesia? The game from heaven was the 2000 Tri-Nations match between NZ and Australia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDfkCftBurQ

The biggest crowd (100,000+) in history, some of the greatest players from either country on display, fantastic try scoring, nail-biting down to the wire outcome. What's not to love?
Watching it now; it was a supremely forgettable Kiwi pack & centre partnership.

True. The backline contains 4 (maybe 5) all-time great ABs though.

Kiwias · Post by **Kiwias** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:48 am

Thomas wrote:
Mahoney wrote:
Lacrobat wrote:Is isolation giving everyone amnesia? The game from heaven was the 2000 Tri-Nations match between NZ and Australia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDfkCftBurQ

The biggest crowd (100,000+) in history, some of the greatest players from either country on display, fantastic try scoring, nail-biting down to the wire outcome. What's not to love?
Watching it now; it was a supremely forgettable Kiwi pack & centre partnership.
True. The backline contains 4 (maybe 5) all-time great ABs though.

The mid-field had one job - get good ball to that deadly back trio. They did it well.

Jay Cee Gee · Post by **Jay Cee Gee** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:58 am

Thomas wrote:
Shrekles wrote:
Thomas wrote:
Lacrobat wrote:Is isolation giving everyone amnesia? The game from heaven was the 2000 Tri-Nations match between NZ and Australia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDfkCftBurQ

Of course, Nobody kicked Australia to Bledisloe Cup glory in the next match so the loss didn't hurt that badly.
A drawn series probably does seem like Bledisloe glory after all these years, huh?
I think any drawn series where you get to walk away with the trophy is glorious. English cricket fans probably feel the same way.

As an All Black fan I reserve the term 'glorious' for occasions when they actually win the series - we've had to make do with a mere 12 glorious series since the trophy was won back.

Peaches · Post by **Peaches** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:58 am

Lacrobat wrote:Is isolation giving everyone amnesia? The game from heaven was the 2000 Tri-Nations match between NZ and Australia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDfkCftBurQ

The biggest crowd (100,000+) in history, some of the greatest players from either country on display, fantastic try scoring, nail-biting down to the wire outcome. What's not to love?

Was played in semi amateur era and the athleticism was lacking tbh.

rageagainstthemachine · Tue Apr 21, 2020 9:00 am

kiap wrote:
Thomas wrote:
Lacrobat wrote:Is isolation giving everyone amnesia? The game from heaven was the 2000 Tri-Nations match between NZ and Australia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDfkCftBurQ

The biggest crowd (100,000+) in history, some of the greatest players from either country on display, fantastic try scoring, nail-biting down to the wire outcome. What's not to love?
Yep.

This match.

NZ 24-0 after 7 minutes! Australia ahead at halftime and then leading with minutes to go only for Lomu to stroll over. 100K people. I remember watching it in a pub and some kiwis came over and sat with us and we all just shook our heads and smiled. We knew we'd witnessed greatness.

Of course, Nobody kicked Australia to Bledisloe Cup glory in the next match so the loss didn't hurt that badly.
This

Likewise, I was in a pub in southwest Ireland watching it back. That era of bledisloe games were great. Shame what has happened to Australia rugby.

RuggaBugga · Post by **RuggaBugga** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 9:11 am

The Tri-Nations game at Ellis Park where Habana scorched us early but went off and Barrett finished it is my favourite of recent years.

Lemoentjie · Post by **Lemoentjie** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 9:42 am

Clogs wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-t0PcxxXAY

And I was at that game. That finish still gives me wood.

That's brought back memories of me aiming a long stream of swear words at Percy when he dropped that ball and missed the mark

The 90s and early 2000s were rugby's golden era in my opinion. Nowhere near as entertaining now.

Derwyn · Post by **Derwyn** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 12:22 pm

iarmhiman wrote:That's easy.
Wembley 1999 Wales v England is the greatest test match.

He could be right you know

sunnybanana · Post by **sunnybanana** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 12:29 pm

Clogs wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-t0PcxxXAY

And I was at that game. That finish still gives me wood.

I was there too. Magic night.

Auckman · Post by **Auckman** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 12:36 pm

RuggaBugga wrote:The Tri-Nations game at Ellis Park where Habana scorched us early but went off and Barrett finished it is my favourite of recent years.

I was thinking of this one as well. 2013 RC decider. Intensity from both sides was off the planet. Not sure if this is also the game that Barrett ran down Willie Le Roux and managed to tap him over the line to prevent a try.

Reminds me of the 1997 Ellis park test when Bunce led a comeback after Boks got out to an early lead. De Beer missed the kick at the end to draw it 35-all.

The 2000 Bled is always in the conversation though.

Doc Rob · Post by **Doc Rob** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 12:52 pm

Scotland v England at Twickenham last year has to be a contender, surely, if only for sheer drama!

CrazyIslander · Post by **CrazyIslander** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 12:55 pm

The 1996 Boks vs ABs at Loftus.

Sonny Blount · Post by **Sonny Blount** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 1:05 pm

What about Wales v Samoa at RWC 1991?

I think that game made as much of a mark in the history of rugby as any.

jdogscoop · Post by **jdogscoop** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 1:07 pm

Please remember that this is Greatest test match ever, not Grinding win by my dour team against a more fancied opponent.

Sonny Blount · Post by **Sonny Blount** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 1:11 pm

Peaches wrote:
Lacrobat wrote:Is isolation giving everyone amnesia? The game from heaven was the 2000 Tri-Nations match between NZ and Australia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDfkCftBurQ

The biggest crowd (100,000+) in history, some of the greatest players from either country on display, fantastic try scoring, nail-biting down to the wire outcome. What's not to love?
Was played in semi amateur era and the athleticism was lacking tbh.

Listen kid, the game was way professional then, when you get 100,000 at a test match and NPC games are getting 30,000 there is a lot more money around. NZ had more professional players then than there are today.

And Lomu and Cullen were more athletic than anything players are dealing with today. We may not have seen as fast a prop as Kees Meuws since then as well.

Tehui · Post by **Tehui** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 1:14 pm

CrazyIslander wrote:The 1996 Boks vs ABs at Loftus.

Good choice. Has to be in the short list discussion.