Best Tries from week one of the End of Year Tests

After a remarkable weekend of international rugby, in which Ireland recorded their first ever win over New Zealand, the Barbarians and South Africa played out an entertaining draw and Argentina put more than 50 points past Japan, it was nigh on impossible to feature just one of the 43 tries scored. Thankfully, the video below has put all of them into one place.

Maori All Blacks prop Kane Hames finished off a flowing move started by Chiefs full back Damien McKenzie against the USA. McKenzie floated an inch-perfect final pass in-field to Hames who even allowed himself to canter in as the Maori comfortably ran out 54-7 winners.

There were some fantastic tries on show in Tokyo as Argentina beat Japan 54-20. Nicolas Sanchez’s try completed a typically Argentinian move, initiated by a sublime line break from Joaquim Tuculet.

Bernard Foley’s second half try in Australia’s 32-8 win over Wales at the Principality Stadium was arguably the pick of the bunch. The fly-half had a great game and showed a fresh pair of heels as he sprinted his way to the line to all but secure the victory.

While Taqele Naiyaravoro and Sergeal Petersen’s tries were spectacular in their own right, such was the level of rugby at Wembley in 31-31 draw between the Barbarians and the Springboks, but it was Luke Morahan’s first that wowed the over 60,000 spectators.

Nayaravoro was influential in the initial attack, having sat down would-be tacklers and offloaded to scrum-half Andy Ellis who kicked ahead. Jamba Ulengo’s clearance kick only found Naiyaravoro once again and simple hands found Morahan who ended a breathless movement in the corner.

But the biggest talking point from the weekend was ultimately Ireland’s sensational victory over the All Blacks in Chicago. The decisive try came from centre Robbie Henshaw just five minutes from time, having been under the cosh thanks to a resurgent Kiwi side in the second half.

Ireland held on to edge an enthralling encounter, banishing memories of their agonising 2013 loss in Dublin. The two sides meet again in the Irish capital on November 19^th.

credit: tightfiverugbyunion