It's the middle of the week so traditionally a time for some kind of crazy posting here on RD, and this one fits the bill as Rugby HQ have provided ten of the funniest and most unfortunate missed try bloopers of all time. We've got the Top 5, and then five more.

The guys at Fox Sports have scoured the archives, and the web, and put together a brilliant collection of some of the most cringeworthy howlers in recent times.

We've got a lot of them archived and featured here on RD too, but given the Sean Maloney touch, these are hilarious to watch once again, and definitely if it's your first time.

You can watch some of the incidents in full in the Related Posts, and we've also added a few extras you might enjoy. Clangers from Sam Vesty, Robbie Fleck, a hilarious league clip, and a classic old video of former England Sevens star Isoa Damudamu are all worth watching.

The other five that didn't quite make the Rugby HQ Top 5 have also been included on page two, featuring some greats, namely Tana Umaga and Christian Cullen, being a bit too casual.

Remember that you can click 'View All' below the video to see everything on one page, and we have also now added the Top 5's as a category on here, so it should be easier to browse all of the previous (and future) segments at your leisure - rugbydump.com/top5

In Australia you can watch The Top Five live on Thursday nights from 8.30pm on Fox Sports 1

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Posted at 6:27 pm | 1 comments

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This is a quick clip of a must see (and hear!) tackle from the USA Rugby Playsoffs recently, in a game between New Orleans and PAC. The hit itself was so solid that the sound could be heard from the stands. Not bad considering that there was no referee microphone.

You'll notice a call for a yellow card. We can assume that it was because the guy felt that the tackler wasn't back 10 from the quick tap, and not because he thought that the tackle was illegal.

Huge hit, and worth sharing for the sound effect alone.

Time: 0:13
Credit: busbeepbeep

Posted at 1:58 pm | 21 comments

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Amsterdam hosted the final leg of the IRB Women's Sevens World Series this past weekend, as the New Zealand women claimed the inaugural World Series title. Canada gave them a scare in a brilliant tournament final, but they were too strong in the end.

The first ever IRB Women's Sevens World Series came to a close in Amsterdam with the New Zealand women emulating their male counterparts by taking the series title in convincing fashion.

While things didn't go entirely their way in the final, they claimed a 33-24 win over a very impressive Canadian side, with Kayla McAlister, the sister of current Toulouse star Luke, scoring two great tries, and Portia Woodman helping them take the lead with a scintilating sprint down the wing.

New Zealand finished the series on 74 points, ahead of England on 60, Canada on 52, and the USA on 48. Woodman was top points and try scorer for the season. She scored against Russia in their semi final victory too, before the Russians went on to claim third place overall by beating England.

Russia will be buoyed by their form ahead of playing host the Rugby World Cup Sevens next month, while New Zealand will no doubt be favourites, on the men's side of things too.

"It is pretty special, that was never a focus of ours, when we go back to Dubai it was just about building. We have some special girls and we've just come to learn. We are just getting better and better and that is the ideal," said Sean Horan, New Zealand Women's coach.

"We are proud of the girls, a good bunch and we're just enjoying the experiences," he added.

The USA beat Spain in sudden death extra time to win the Plate Final, while hosts The Netherlands lifted the Bowl after a convincing 32-0 defeat of South Africa.

Below are highlights from the final day, including the final (at 4:48). View Day One Highlights here

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Posted at 5:41 pm | 0 comments

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Following Toulon's victory over Clermont in the Heineken Cup Final, scorer of the decisive try, Delon Armitage, has admitted that his show-boating was uncalled for. Today we look at the highlights, and have the full match replay for those who missed it.

Clermont scored two tries and looked to be in control before fullback Armitage gratefully snatched a chance down the left wing after a turnover steal by Juan Martin Fernandez-Lobbe.

Jonny Wilkinson kicked three penalties and the conversion as Toulon came back from 15-6 down to take the win. Wilkinson didn't miss a kick in the final, semi final, and quarter finals, totalling 56 points in the three matches. He has since been named European Player of the Year 2013.

"To receive an award of this importance towards the end of my career is really special. I feel privileged to have been nominated," said Wilkinson upon receiving the award.

The other contenders were Julien Bonnaire, Wesley Fofana, Jamie Heaslip, and Sitiveni Sivivatu.

Backs coach Alex King has said that Lions coach Warren Gatland should 'take him tomorrow'. "He is a match-winner. You've seen that today. You've seen it through his whole career. If the Lions want to win the series you've got to have players like that in the squad," said King of Wilkinson.

Tryscorer Armitage, who waved cheekily to Brock James, admitted it wasn't a smart thing to do. "It was stupid celebrating before, but I was just so happy to score in a Heineken Cup final.

"It was a dream come true. I knew straight away that I was going to score. There was no one in front," he said, before reflecting on the achievement and his move to France.

"Coming to Toulon, you do have doubts in your mind, wondering if you have done the right thing, leaving London Irish, not being able to play for England, but to win the Heineken Cup in my first season has got to rank right at the top in terms of achievements," said the 29-year-old.

Below are quick highlights from the match. You can view the full match replay here

Posted at 7:56 am | 20 comments

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It's the end of another busy week and as we look forward to two big finals in Dublin, Women's Sevens World Series action in Amsterdam, and yet another brilliant round of Super Rugby, here is a quick look at the best of last weekend, in the Super Rugby Plays of the Week from Rugby HQ.

As always, funnies, big hits, news of the bizarre, and some fantastic tries. Enjoy.

If you enjoy these segments, you can browse the archive in the Plays of the Week section

Time: 2:23
Credit: foxsportsau

Posted at 4:42 pm | 0 comments

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Ireland and Leinster legend Brian O'Driscoll has today announced that he has extended his IRFU contract for another year, which covers both club and country. Against Biarritz recently the fans requested it, and today, they got what they wanted.

The 34-year-old veteran was recently included in the British & Irish Lions squad for the tour of Australia, what will be his fourth Lions tour after first touring Australia as a youngster in 2001.

With his form and fitness, Warren Gatland has put faith in the ability, experience, and leadership value that he will bring to the squad. It's also no doubt a good confidence boost, fully vindicating his decision to continue on for yet another year.

He admitted that it wasn't an easy decision to make, but thanked the fans for all of their support.

"I want to thank the IRFU and Leinster for allowing me the time to think about my future and discuss my options with my family," O'Driscoll said.

"The support my family and the Irish and Leinster fans have shown me over the past few months, and indeed years, has been phenomenal and I am now very much looking forward to one more year playing with Ireland and Leinster."

New Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, who has of course spent so much time with O'Driscoll at Leinster, said he was delighted to have the opportunity to work with the great centre for another year.

"It's great that Brian has agreed to continue playing. He's an inspirational player, not only on the pitch, but also on the training ground," he said.

"He's played well again this season and other players continue to learn from him. I know that every squad of which he is a part will profit from his qualities both as a rugby player and a person."

This weekend O'Driscoll will be looking to help Leinster to an Amlin Challenge Cup title when they face Stade Francais in Dublin. That, and the RaboDirect PRO12 final a week later (if he plays) were expected to be his final games at home, but fans can look forward to another year of BOD magic.

Against Biarritz in the Challenge Cup semifinal he scored a try after a nice break by Sean Cronin, and was then cheered on by the crowd, who spurred on by his acknowledgement, continued their chorus of 'One more year'. Now they will get to enjoy precisely that.

Posted at 12:15 pm | 10 comments

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Cheetahs prop Coenie Oosthuizen is fast becoming a fan facourite for the way that he carries and handles the ball, and of course his power up front. Against the Hurricanes he was on the losing side, but scored twice and made one big charge in particular.

Still just 24-years-old, and weighing in at a whopping 125kg's plus, the front rower affectionately known as Shrek earned his first Springbok cap against against England last year.

A product of the presitgious Grey College, Oosthuizen has become a try-scorer of note for the Cheetahs, and one to watch with ball in hand. In recent years he has had back and neck problems, but against the Hurricanes he showed that he's looking as strong as ever.

The Cheetahs came close but a 39-34 home defeat will have been a dissapointment after such an impressive overseas tour. Oosthuizen crossed twice with powerful tries, and earlier made a huge charge that knocked strong tackler Jack Lam to the turf.

"He was a little bit unlucky, I think I caught him on the wrong foot," said Oosthuizen at the halftime on-field interview. "I feel bad for him, hopefully he's okay."

Lam had to leave the field but he has been announced in the Hurricanes' starting lineup for their upcoming clash with the Chiefs at the Cake Tin. The Cheetashs will host the Reds on Saturday.

View the match highlights

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Posted at 8:41 am | 23 comments

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