RWC 2011 - the top five tries

Mon, Oct 24, 2011, 1:00 AM
AAP
by AAP

Rugby World Cup 2011 has produced some outstanding tries. Here are five of the best.

Ma’a Nonu: New Zealand v Australia, semi-final at Eden Park

It could not have been scripted any better. Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand and Australia in a semi-final with the winner through to the final. A scything run from left to right by full back Israel Dagg had the All Blacks charging forward and it was Ma’a Nonu who was perfectly placed to benefit. The centre pounced on Dagg’s superb offload as the full back went to ground just centimetres from the touchline. Nonu flew over to score the only try of the match and help New Zealand secure a place in the big one.

Vincent Clerc: France v England, quarter-final at Eden Park

French wing Vincent Clerc produced a dazzling effort in the 22nd minute of Les Bleus' win over old foes England. Scrum half turned No.10 Morgan Parra fed the ball to Maxime Mermoz, who quickly offloaded to Clerc charging down the left side. A quick step through a gap in the English defence and Clerc was away, beating two tackles before pirouetting his way past a third for the try.

Lucas González Amorosino: Argentina v Scotland, pool match in Wellington

Full back Lucas González Amorosino skipped into Argentine rugby history with his sparkling try against Scotland that allowed the Pumas to progress to the last eight. It was an arm wrestle for a place in the quarter-finals played out in driving rain, but with eight minutes of play remaining and Scotland ahead 12-6, González Amorosino picked up a pass from Marcelo Bosch, danced on twinkle toes along the sideline and around four desperate Scottish tacklers to push the Pumas towards a one-point win.

Gethin Jenkins: Wales v Namibia, pool match in New Plymouth

It is not every day a front rower shimmies his way around multiple tackles to charge down the pitch and over the try line, but Gethin Jenkins did just that to score an impressive solo try against Namibia. The Welsh loosehead prop’s lightness of step belied his physique as he stepped left and right, shrugged off five desperate Namibian defenders on his way to score his first try of RWC 2011 in Wales’ 81-7 victory.

Mike Petri: USA v Russia, pool match in New Plymouth

A passage of slick passing and lightning pace allowed USA scrum half Mike Petri to help secure a 13-6 victory for the Eagles against Russia with his try in the 19th minute. A quick flick from full back Chris Wyles sent the Suniula brothers charging down the pitch. Andrew passed to Roland, who quickly sent the ball back to his sibling, with Petri then running on and over by the posts to finish off the brilliant team move.

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