Great Moments Of Sportsmanship » Rugby

Johnny Wilkinson Gentleman & Genius

prsmith — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 23:15:22 +0000

When World Cup winning hero, Johnny Wilkinson came to town, fans turn up to see the genius in action. There’s something unique about him (which this story reveals later). He now plies his trade for French side, Toulon, and when they played London Irish in the Heineken Cup, Wilkinson was majestic at the Madejski Stadium. He dictated the game from start to finish and kicked superbly as displayed in the video clip below. You can tell from the sound of boot on ball that it is a beauty.

Wilkinson at work – the ‘perfect peno’ execution watched by a respectful crowd

A respectful London Irish audience waits in silence and, a moment later, applaud his success. They later gave Wilkinson a standing ovation when he left the field just before full time.

But he is human. As demonstrated by the video clip below when he surprisingly spills the ball on the line to forfeit a seemingly certain try.

Johnny Wilkinson spills the ball

He is a very ‘human’ decent character. Many years ago Johnny Wilkinson visited Galway when playing for Newcastle and was inevitably surrounded by a mass of kids seeking his autograph after the game. After ten minutes of signing, there were still a mass of kids desperate for his autograph. However, Wilkinson was asked to get on the team bus. He refused and insisted on staying behind to sign the all the autographs required. The bus left without him. He was later driven to the airport by local fans, just in time for his flight. A true gentleman and a wonderful player.

Finally something surreal happened during the game – a large leprechaun cast a musical spell. Everybody’s got a story!

Leprachauns do exist

I had a dream

prsmith — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 20:03:13 +0000

I have often wondered whether I would live to see Ireland beat the All Blacks. The famous team from New Zealand are the best in the world(despite only winning one World Cup). Something unreal happened…….

Although Munster, a province of Ireland, beat them way back in 1978, Ireland never managed to beat the Kiwis in over 100 years of trying (we did get a draw once).

So I sauntered off to Lansdowne Road, the oldest international rugby venue in the world, and stepped inside our shiny new Aviva Stadium, in the hope of maybe, just maybe, the dream might come true. Well here it is….my hazy dream captured on video…………………………..

Ireland v New Zealand Lansdowne Road 2010

All comments are welcome.

South African Sportsmanship

prsmith — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:24:52 +0000

I’m in Joburg wondering how the Lions will do on Saturday in the third and final test.

I caught the Emerging Springboks game in Capetown and witnessed one of the finest conversions ever kicked in the dying moments to give the youngish Springboks a draw. Then I witnessed another killer kick in the Second Test in Pretoria – again the last kick of the game to give the Springboks the series. The Lions played magnificently but didn’t get the result. However what thrilled me were the Springbok fans who applauded every Lions try, and converted kicks. I am constantly amazed at the generosity of their hospitality – they can’t do enough for us. A great country – I’m coming back (if Ireland qualify for the World Cup 2010)!