Biggest rugby moments 2022 – Rugby World magazine
Biggest rugby moments of 2022
It’s been a hell of a good rugby year with lots happening (good, bad and sometimes ugly). We even forgot a few moments, we bet! So here’s a little refresher on some of the biggest stories of the rugby year.
If we missed any, suggest us with your favorites too.
brilliance of the black ferns
The Rugby World Cup final in Auckland ended in New Zealand’s 34-31 win over England, but there was so much more to it than that. There was a clash of narratives – England were overwhelming favourites, a side going into the final unbeaten in 30 games. The Black Ferns had revised their system and brought in legendary coach Wayne Smith (and friends) to turn things around. Then there was the perceived break in style, with the hosts playing free against England’s unstoppable maul.
And while Lydia Thompson was sent off early in the game, there was a feeling England’s guns could still help them over the line. Until New Zealand stole the lineout ball when it mattered most.
A crowning game in an exceptional tournament – there was plenty of reaction to the Women’s Rugby World Cup final to ponder.
Irish men make history in New Zealand
In two weeks, Andy Farrell’s team went from winning the very first Test on Kiwi soil to winning the Irish Series in New Zealand. Their 32-22 victory in recent Tests was a real sit-up-and-take-notice moment for the rest of the sport and marked the first time the All Blacks lost back-to-back home Tests since 1998.
Heroes were produced on this tour, with Peter O’Mahony and Tadhg Beirne at their best, while Josh van der Flier certainly cemented his place in the race for World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year on this tour.
France wins the Grand Slam at home (Getty Images)
Gallic Grand Slam
France have won a Grand Slam at the Six Nations for the first time in 12 years. And they’ve been exceptional all year, winning ten games straight away.
They also have a home World Cup ahead of them.
Away from the pitch, things may not be looking too rosy in the French garden – union boss Bernard Laporte, for example, was recently sentenced to a two-year suspended sentence – but otherwise it’s been a very good year. And while Les Blues the Six Nations dominated, who can forget La Rochelle winning the Champions Cup or the La Rochelle fans flocking to the port as their heroes returned?!
end of an era
England’s sacking of Eddie Jones was huge news. The end of an era. He had become a ubiquitous voice in British sport. But things had deteriorated.
Then the RFU appointed Steve Borthwick as England head coach. We’ll have a Six Nations shortly and then all eyes will be on the Rugby World Cup in France. What can the new regime, which includes Kevin Sinfield, bring?
At Wales, we already know quite a bit about their boss. Warren Gatland returned to Wales when Wayne Pivac was sacked. A coach who needs no introduction. A huge presence. An equally big task to turn the national fortunes around.
Chile is running hot
Why Pablo Lemoine wasn’t in the running for World Rugby Coach of the Year is beyond us – he helped Chile qualify for the Rugby World Cup for the first time ever!
¡A VOTAR POR “YOYO”! 🫶🏻🏉
The remarkable try 😎 de Rodrigo “Yoyo” Fernández 🇨🇱 frente a Estados Unidos 🇺🇸 it uno de los cinco nominados que disputarán el “Try del año” en los premios de World Rugby.
Acá se puede votar: https://t.co/635PjNOC6C#VamosTeamChile 🇨🇱 pic.twitter.com/2n1R3ZWjeG
— Team Chile (@TeamChile_COCH) November 14, 2022
In two rounds of qualifying, they defeated the USA… You may remember that wonderful attempt from above by fly-half Rodrigo Fernández in Atlantis-like conditions in the first leg.
Forget the greatest rugby moments of 2022 – this was the greatest moment in Chilean rugby history. They made it by just a point and go into Rugby World Cup Pool D with Argentina, England, Japan and Samoa.
financial misfortune
Worcester Warriors were relegated from the Premiership one day when everything fell apart. Wasps go into administration soon after. The horrible reality of how bad things could get in the elite club game surfaced as two famous clubs went to the wall.
We have since been told Wasps have been rescued and will play in the Championship next season while Worcester’s near-term future has yet to be determined. But the whole thing will have scared the death of anyone involved in professional club play.
What will happen next year and where might the Welsh regions fit into this narrative?
Never in Dow-t
Comeback of the year, for sure.
A broken leg in April against Wales. A screamer from a try against Canada in the World Cup semifinals. Bow, Abby Dow.
𝗔𝗻 𝗮𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘆 🙌🙌🙌@cf_macdonald & @abbydowberg Combination with devastating effect!@rugbyworldcup | #Red roses pic.twitter.com/3hEP3ZxLEw
– England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 5, 2022
This won Women’s Attempt of the Year at the World Rugby Awards (Fernández, above, won the men’s award). Belter.
Os Lobos back in the big show
Portugal secured their way to their first Rugby World Cup since 2007 with a nervous kick from Samuel Marques in the final game of the final qualifier in Dubai.
How works @robvickermann remember an incredible finale between @PortugalRugby and @USARugby?
Relive the final moments of the game Os Lobos led to #RWC2023 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/AAxD4y5g4g
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 23, 2022
Fair play for the scrum half. So much at stake. He does the business.
This meant no Eagles at the World Cup as Gary Gold left USA Rugby while the union began planning for the future. A future that also includes hosting world championships.
Of course, this was another attempt to qualify for Portugal. They thought things might be over for them when Spain booked their place at the tournament – then Spain were disqualified from Rugby World Cup 2023 in April. It was another mess in European qualifiers but it opened the door for Os Lobos. Marques threw it off its hinges…
Georgian delight
First, Georgia defeated Italy in Batumi (with Rugby World on their shirts, may we add!). Then there were breathtaking scenes in November when Georgia defeated Wales 13-12.
Did we play a part in all of this? Highly doubtful. We are just enjoying the rise of Davit Niniashvili along with everyone else. However, as a contact from Georgia told us this year, it might have helped that Georgia beat Italy the Azzurri as…
Italy finally ends terrible run
In the last round of the Six Nations, we saw Italy beat Wales 22-21 to end their 36-game losing streak in the Six Nations.
We also saw Josh Adams present Ange Capuozzo with his Player of the Match award after the electric young 15 scored the winner and set things up for Edo Padovani.
Not content with that, we also saw a landmark victory for Italy against the Wallabies in November.
Freddie Burns celebrates his drop goal (Image: Getty Images)
Tigers burn bright
It wasn’t all about the Test and a drop goal from Freddie Burns to lift the Premiership title was a spectacular moment. The half-time flipped the winner with 25 seconds remaining, giving the Tigers their first championship title in nine years.
Stormers defy the odds
It’s also worth it if the Stormers wonder can be picked up again. They won the United Rugby Championship title this year despite being in administration. Lots of lost players, uncertain future, feeding out the window when away, sometimes playing with smaller squads on match day than the opposition. What they accomplished in their first season of competition deserves great recognition.
Great Australians
The final was a smash between two bitter opponents – the Australian women won the Sevens World Cup in Cape Town, beating New Zealand 24-22 to win their first World Cup title since Dubai 2009.
Former AFLW star Maddison Levi was the star of the show and scored a hot hat-trick.
It was more one-sided later as the Fiji men won the World Cup sevens with a 29-12 win over New Zealand. The Flying Fijians won the Melrose Cup for the first time since 2005.
Other big rugby moments of 2022
- Argentina’s men under Michael Cheika beat New Zealand for the first time ever in New Zealand.
- Wales men beat South Africa in South Africa for first time ever.
- Performance in the semi-finals of the Bulls in the URC against Leinster.
- Ospreys beat Montpellier in Montpellier.
- Henry Arundell’s try against Toulon.
- Ruby Tui’s growing profile off the field.
Our biggest social media stories this year
Here are the top ten stories for us from social media traffic in 2022. Some of them have a distinct “November” flavor…
- Antoine Dupont sees red against springbok
- Lydia Thompson was sent off in the Rugby World Cup final
- Watch: Josh van der Flier tries springbok
- Watch: Kurt-Lee Arendse in a try against England
- That’s why Joe Marler wears the Quins supporter’s jersey
- Watch: Crazy try at the Singapore Sevens
- Believe: Ridiculous ‘own attempt’ in Challenge Cup
- World Rugby provides legal clarification on controversial hurdling attempt
- Rugby Rant: “Unfortunately, French TV coverage can have a different agenda”
- Twitter responds to Lawrence Dallaglio’s comments about wasp troubles
what was your favorite Let us know via [email protected] or on our social media channels.
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