In addition to compiling our own list of the most memorable moments in rugby in 2022, we thought it would be fun to ask some of the people who cover the sport for Rugby World to share their favorite moments from the previous year.
“Edoardo Padovani’s try for Italy against Wales in the Six Nations was the rugby moment of 2022.
It secured the Azzurri’s first Championship victory since 2015. The hairs on your neck stood up as Ange Capuozzo’s piercing break continued. Despite the pressure of the situation, the mental fortitude to enter to facilitate the conversion was admirable. Italy won at the home of the defending champions, Wales, just when it seemed like it would never happen again.
“Cheika was always going to be full of ups and downs,” writes Argentina and South America rugby writer Frankie Deges. Fortunately, the ups were significant: they defeated the Wallabies, defeated England at Twickenham, and defeated Scotland 2-1 in their July series.
The much-anticipated 25-18 victory was secured by a winger’s try from flanker Juan Martn González and the imperious kick of Emiliano Boffelli, who scored 20 points. The All Blacks, who were under siege at the time, retaliated with a 53-3 demolition of Argentina, who were a shadow of themselves.
“My rugby moment of 2022 was the final play of the Rugby World Cup final,” writes women’s rugby writer Sarah Rendell. The Rugby World Cup final, widely regarded as the best ever, would be decided by Lark Davies’s lineout. Both at home and in the sold-out Eden Park, every fan was on the edge of their seats. It was not only the most thrilling and nerve-wracking moment of the year, but it also demonstrated how far the women’s sport has come. More than 40,000 people were in the stadium, watching from their couches, captivated by the incredible skill displayed by both teams.
Tom English, a rugby writer for Scotland and Ireland, said, “Watching the third Test in the series between New Zealand and Ireland, in a caravan in St.
I was screaming to death. Since I was shouting “G’wan, Tadhg Furlong
Liam Napier: Ellis Park’s All Blacks victory. The All Blacks somehow managed to win two of their last six tests at the South African rugby mecca, despite being completely besieged and with Ian Foster’s tenure on the verge of an ugly and abrupt end.
“A kick with the clock in the red, where if you make it, you qualify, and if you miss, two years of hard work are in vain, is the epitome of pressure.
“Miroslav Djukic, a Serbian defender, eventually rose to the occasion and had his shot saved because no one wanted to take the penalty. When all of that effort and time comes down to a single moment, it takes a lot of courage to succeed. Bravo to Marques!
Secret Player “I’ve enjoyed international rugby for the first time in a long time because it’s been so competitive,” says our former Test star turned columnist.
“There are now ten teams that play good rugby and make watching them a lot of fun. I’ve appreciated watching the scene. Additionally, I believe it will only get better. Because of all of this, rugby intrigues and captivates me far more than it has in the past decade.