Tumbling try hailed as the finish of 2024 by leading Kiwi journalist

As the year comes to an end, it’s around this time that we tend to celebrate all the successes over the past 12 months. These successes generally come in the form of great individual tries, wonderful teamwork and superb accolades.

Well, one New Zealand journalist, Jamie Wall, has put forward his thoughts on the ‘finish’ of the year, handing it to Morne Brandon of the Lions for his bouncing finish against the Cheetahs in the Currie Cup semi-final back in September.

The substitute hooker bound through the Cheetahs line, eluding the flailing defence as he barraged his way to the try line. It was only the tap tackle of Litha Nkula that threatened to dismantle the incredible try, but Brandon showed sheer athleticism to gather the five points. Check it out here:

Best finish of 2024 pic.twitter.com/CSuUO4rDPU

— Jamie Wall (@JamieWall2) December 16, 2024

Another try deserving of note, was Jack Nowell’s from the weekend just gone. Starting with a dominant maul, La Rochelle had sucked in several Bristol defenders, allowing scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow to break away to the left. Immediately identifying the space on the other side, the former All Black reversed course with a looping pass to Iaih West, who launched a searching crossfield kick.

Bouncing once, the ball looked like it would trickle over the touchline before a flying Jack Nowell showed off his acrobatic skills to dot down. The score would be heavily reviewed, with referee Chris Busby initially saying that his on-field decision was not a try. Doing great work, the TMO found the perfect replay angles to award the former England winger the try, and with it, La Rochelle took the lead.