Favourite AB tests

[Billy Webb]

@MiketheSnow said in Favourite AB tests:

@Billy-Webb said in Favourite AB tests:

@rotated bloomin good game that one.

Forgot how good Umaga and Cullen were.

See your doctor

For the dementia or has my eyesight failed me and I identified the wrong players?

(Note: probably worth seeing my doctor on both accounts anyway )

[Victor Meldrew]

For me, in no particular order:

3rd Test against the 1977 Lions. NZ 19-7. Classic case of out-thinking rather than out-muscling the opposition. Set the stage for a step change in NZ style of play.

2nd Test 2005 Lions. 48-18. Almost the perfect game by the Men in Black. Carter was pretty good too....

RC Ellis Park 2013. 38-27. Probably the best game of the modern era. Had it all. No quarter given or taken, scintillating tries by Habana & BB, perfect refereeing by Owens. And the two teams and managers mingling about like old mates wondering who knows the best place to get a beer.

[kiwiinmelb]

a personal favorite of mine ,
Nigel Owens later described it as the greatest game he has ever reffed

[sparky]

1995 RWC Semi Final remains my favourite All Blacks test. It was a turning point in the sport's history. England had a great team that year, but the All Blacks destroyed them. Story goes that Rupert Murdoch was watching and game persuaded him to invest in Rugby Union as a professional sport.

So many other great stories from that game.

[booboo]

1981 Third Test.

Can't find a full highlights package.

Videos posted by Saffas seem to stop at Ray Mordt's third try

Amazing game, surreal atmosphere, awesome ending, great result.

Greatest test match ever.

[nzzp]

@booboo said in Favourite AB tests:

1981 Third Test.

Know someone who was there. Just amazing stories, the plane apparently felt super low coming over the ground.

Kind of puts blocking a side street by environmental protesters into perspective

[Snowy]

My father went. I had a ticket but he wouldn't take me as he knew there would be trouble and I was too young (or probably would have started it). He said it was all a bit surreal.

I have subsequently flown that Cessna 172, felt kinda weird when you know what happened.

Was an amazing test both on and off the field.

[Higgins]

All Blacks v Lions at Athletic Park in 1983, the Trapper Test. Nine nil ahead with the 25 point wind behind us at half time but Trapper was sublime in the second half to get us home with no change to the score.
Still looking for highlight online.........................

[bayimports]

@kiwiinmelb I was lucky enough to be at that game, I have to give it to our South African friends, they can really do a great rugby atmosphere. Incredible game to watch

Fly overs at Ellis park should not happen again though ha ha

[voodoo]

Surprised nobody has mentioned the 1996 Athletic Park test v Australia in the rain. So good.

[Snowy]

@voodoo said in Favourite AB tests:

Surprised nobody has mentioned the 1996 Athletic Park test v Australia in the rain. So good.

It's there in @sparky 's list.

[BartMan]

1996 deciding test v Boers and 2011 RWC final. Both tests made my eyes a bit dusty at the end, both years ending 'curses' so to speak.

[voodoo]

@Snowy thank you sir

[mariner4life]

Not sure i will ever enjoy 7 days of AB rugby as much as sticking 50 past the Boks and the Wallabies on their home turf in consecutive weeks.

2003 may not have ended well, but July and August were fucking great

[Bovidae]

@Snowy said in Favourite AB tests:

My father went. I had a ticket but he wouldn't take me as he knew there would be trouble and I was too young (or probably would have started it). He said it was all a bit surreal.

Parents eh? Mine wouldn't let me go to the Waikato-SA game for the same reason.

All of my favourites have been mentioned, particularly Pretoria 1996 and RWC final 2011.

[Snowy]

@Bovidae said in Favourite AB tests:

Parents eh? Mine wouldn't let me go to the Waikato-SA game for the same reason.

From memory you didn't miss anything at all.

[Bovidae]

@Snowy Yeah, but I could have worked on my throwing arm.

[booboo]

@Higgins said in Favourite AB tests:

All Blacks v Lions at Athletic Park in 1983, the Trapper Test. Nine nil ahead with the 25 point wind behind us at half time but Trapper was sublime in the second half to get us home with no change to the score.
Still looking for highlight online.........................

First test I ever went to.

Cold!

Rimutakas were cut off, as I think was the Pahiatua Track so I recall we went through the gorge from Pahiatua.

[Higgins]

@booboo said in Favourite AB tests:

@Higgins said in Favourite AB tests:

All Blacks v Lions at Athletic Park in 1983, the Trapper Test. Nine nil ahead with the 25 point wind behind us at half time but Trapper was sublime in the second half to get us home with no change to the score.
Still looking for highlight online.........................

First test I ever went to.

Cold!

Rimutakas were cut off, as I think was the Pahiatua Track so I recall we went through the gorge from Pahiatua.

I was not present at the Park that day either but can recall watching it at the Tarawera Tavern on the Napier-Taupo Road. You are right it was bitterly cold and using the outside toilet in the blow zero temperature was challenging to say the least!

[voodoo]

Remiss of me to not mention 2015 final also. Up at 3am, hot chocolate for the (then) 6yr old, jumping around like nutters when Ma'a and then BB scored. Start of a (hopefully) lifelong passion for the lad.