Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Juan Martin Hernandez's incredible banana-swerve kick vs the All Blacks
Argentina were buoyed by the return of mercurial flyhalf Juan Martin Hernandez for their match against New Zealand in Wellington, but while he couldn't influence the final 21-5 result, he did come up with this magical bit of play in the second half.
Hernandez, widely recognised as one of the most naturally gifted players in the game, missed the Pumas' 16-16 Rugby Championship draw with South Africa in Mendoza due to a groin injury.
He returned against the All Blacks, proving his worth with not only his strong defence, but his well placed tactical kicking too, including one clearance in particular that caught the eye.
A few years back Dan Carter came up with a freak kick (albeit from the kicking tee), and against Carter's All Blacks Hernandez's natural ability came through as he kicked one of the best touch finders you're likely to see.
If you watched the game live, you'll know how tense things were at that stage, so to serve that up in what were challenging Wellington conditions was quite a feat.
Argentina play Australia next, on the Gold Coast, and coach Santiago Phelan has rewarded his forwards for their stong performance. There are only two changes to the side that faced New Zealand, and they come in the backs, where Martin Landajo replaces Nicolas Vergallo at number nine, while Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino slots in at fifteen, with Martin Rodriguez moving to the bench.
Argentina team to play Australia:
Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Gonzalo Camacho, Marcelo Bosch, Santiago Fernandez, Horacio Agulla, Juan Martin Hernandez, Martin Landajo, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Julio Farias Cabello, Patricio Albacete, Manuel Carizza, Juan Figallo, Eusebio Guinazu, Rodrigo Roncero. Replacements: Agustin Creevy, Juan Pablo Orlandi, Leonardo Senatore, Thomas Leonardi, Nicolas Vergallo, Martin Rodriguez, Juan Imhoff
Do you think this kick was intended, or are we getting excited about a bit of luck? Let us know in the comments below!
Posted at 1:51 pm | 26 comments
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Posted in See it to Believe it
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Viewing 26 comments
The Green Mafia September 11, 2012 5:11 pm
One of the most exciting talents in the world for quite some time, but constantly cut short by his strings of injuries. There is still time, though, and argentina will need him to build on their concrete defense with some strokes of genius on attack
Vinicius Guedes September 11, 2012 7:45 pm
I need it as a Wallpaper !
Gallego September 11, 2012 8:10 pm
Facepalm September 11, 2012 8:13 pm
I'm sure the plays team will have plenty to say about that.
Juggernauter September 11, 2012 10:08 pm
JuanFLarrivey September 12, 2012 4:29 am
Guy September 12, 2012 7:38 am
Not saying one of both is better by the way. They are both evenly astonishing.
stroudos September 12, 2012 7:50 am
I think this one beats that because it's done under quite a bit of pressure, whereas I think I'm right in saying Carter was pissing about with his team miles ahead on points. Also the pinpoint accuracy of this (OK a bit of luck to get it quite that close) but to put that much swerve on it and land it within a foot of touch is awesome.
Guy September 12, 2012 11:20 am
I guess you're right in saying the pressure under which the kick is done, is the difference here. And somehow, one seems to expect there kind of kicks more from a Carter than from Hernandez. I guess that is a bit of bias from my side.
Krysten September 12, 2012 11:07 am
Hi Ho September 12, 2012 11:27 am
But in AFL (Aussie Rules) banana kicks or "check sides" have been done for decades. Do a Youtube search for AFL banana kicks and you'll see plenty of it. In fact I'd hazard a guess that AFL is responsible for banana kicks coming into rugby via the Australian players, just like the drop punt kick for touch instead of torpedos was influenced by AFL. Rugby League in Australia has also been influenced by the kicking skills in AFL.
I could be wrong, and maybe rugby players around the world came up with banana kicks and drop punts themselves.... but I doubt it.
flanker2712 September 12, 2012 5:19 pm
Shame to see quite a few empty seats. I remember reading a while back that the All Blacks game sold out within a few days of tickets going on sale. I still tried to get tickets for the game a few weeks back (both through the official rugby federation site and through a number of tour operators) but had no luck, so quite upset that I could have actually gone! If there are any Argies on here that are a bit more in the know, I'd appreciate any thoughts. Maybe the touts/scalpers had a bad day?
flanker2712 September 12, 2012 5:31 pm
Hry September 12, 2012 9:44 pm
Owen September 12, 2012 10:52 pm
Max September 13, 2012 11:53 am
eglionel September 13, 2012 6:06 pm
Vinicius Guedes September 13, 2012 3:16 pm
lg adf September 13, 2012 11:03 pm
Ponimaker September 14, 2012 4:03 am
Thanks for letting us into the Rugby Championship.
Cheers.
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