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03-Feb-2018
pa 5 rugby union stars who tasted drop-goal glory There are few more dramatic ways to
settle a match.
MailOnline
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Johnny Sexton’s spectacular drop-goal in the third minute of added time snatched victory for
Ireland over France in their opening NatWest 6 Nations clash.
The dramatic intervention was a stunning way to win the game, but the fly-half is in good
company when it comes to match-winning drop goals.
Here, Press Association Sport looks at five more of the best.
Jeremy Guscott – BRITISH & IRISH LIONS v South Africa, second Test, Durban, 1997 The
second Test was tied at 15-15 following Neil Jenkins’ fifth penalty of the game, and after
Keith Wood’s clever kick had established field position for the tourists, it was all down to
Guscott. It was the final throes and all the centre had to do was get his attempt between the
posts. It was not the cleanest strike but it went over and handed the Lions an unassailable
2-0 lead in the series.
Jonny Wilkinson – ENGLAND v Australia, World Cup final, Sydney, 2003 The Webb Ellis
Cup was at stake in this one and the two teams could not be separated after 80 minutes.
Only seconds of extra-time were left when Wilkinson, on his weaker right foot, struck the
decisive drop-goal that clinched a nerve-shredding 20-17 victory and a first Rugby World
Cup for England.
Joel Stransky – SOUTH AFRICA v New Zealand, World Cup final, Johannesburg, 1995
Stransky booted all the points for South Africa as they won a first Rugby World Cup. Andrew
Mehrtens was replying with kicks of his own for opponents New Zealand and the scores
were tied at 9-9 at the end of normal time. That sent the final to extra-time for the first time,
and after one penalty apiece for each side, Stransky was the hero with a stunning 30-metre
drop for goal that sailed between the posts. Nelson Mandela presented the trophy to
Francois Pienaar, an immortal moment in South African history.
Stuart Barnes – BATH v Harlequins, Pilkington Cup final, Twickenham, 1992
Both teams were flagging in this one as extra-time took its toll. Jeremy Guscott had already
missed a drop-goal attempt for Bath and Harlequins had failed to make four efforts when a
flu-ridden Barnes swung a weary leg 45 yards out and the ball scraped over to snatch a 15-
12 victory for Jack Rowell’s men in dramatic fashion.
Jannie de Beer – SOUTH AFRICA v England – World Cup quarter-final, Paris, 1999
England’s World Cup hopes were ripped apart by De Beer as he racked up 34 points,
including five drop goals in 31 second-half minutes. That remains a record for the highest
number in a single World Cup match. The fly-half scored all 12 of his attempts with the boot
as South Africa achieved a 44-21 victory.