ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

THROWBACK: These are surely the Top Three Try Saving Tackles ever

BY Stephen Brunsdon  ·  Sunday Aug 2, 2015

As rugby fans, there’s nothing we find more satisfying than a good try saving tackle. Sky Sports and Dewi Morris have come up with three superb efforts featuring Fiona Pocock, Alesana Tuilagi – this time on the receiving end – and George Gregan. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Plagued by two serious knee injuries which threatened her playing career, Pocock made a try-scoring return to competition in England’s 42-13 Six Nations win over Scotland a few months ago. Four torturous years had passed while the winger recovered from a fractured knee sustained in the 2010 World Cup semi final against Australia.

It was in this match that Pocock copped a thumping tackle from opposite number Nicola Beck as the try line beckoned. England won the match 15-0 and progressed to the final, albeit without the stricken Pocock.

Pocock initially made a comeback in 2013, but ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament in her first match back. The heart-breaking significance of this further setback was that Pocock was unable to compete in England’s World Cup in 2014.

Now back in the Premiership with Newcastle Falcons, Samoan Alesana Tuilagi is renowned for his ferocity in the tackles. But back in 2007, the 19st juggernaut was stopped brilliantly by Stade Français’ Juan Martin Hernandez.

“To be honest I don’t know why he didn’t come inside with a quick change of direction,” Hernandez said a few years later. “Everybody was already celebrating the try, but I dived with all my strength to tackle him, and we crashed against each other, and went flying into the air.”

At 14-14 in the Heineken Cup Quarter Final, it was a crucial tackle that had to be made. Leicester were undeterred and went on to reach the final, eventually losing 25-9 to Wasps.

ADVERTISEMENT

The final try-saver looks back to 1994 and a tense Bledisloe Cup affair. Australia, leading 20-16 but sustaining a fierce All Blacks attack were cut open by thrilling winger Jeff Wilson with just four minutes remaining.

Slicing through several would be Australian tacklers, Wilson only had to touch down to give New Zealand the win. Gregan demonstrated why a defender should always chase down, by striking the ball out of a bewildered Wilson’s hands to prevent the score.

credit: kakokappa

Related Articles

  • 30 WEEKS AGO

    Tickets now on sale as World XV set to face...

  • 30 WEEKS AGO

    '60 metres, plus change' - massive drop goal...

  • 30 WEEKS AGO

    Referee makes 'tackle of the season' as he...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Harlequins winger heralded as the next big England breakthrough after weekend's performance

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 DAY AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    ‘Pitch is made of concrete’ - Fan provides much needed update following half time incident

View All

Amateur

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been horrible' - Wales captain to miss Autumn Nations

View All