England and Chile scoop up best try of the year awards
England and Chile have been awarded the try of the year titles by World Rugby at the annual awards dinner in Monaco.
Abby Dow's scorching end-to-end effort against Canada in the World Cup semi-final for the Red Roses was judged to be the women's try of the year.
The Roses' winger finished off a length of the field movement after England secured possession in front of their own goal posts.
They spun the ball out wide to left wing Claudia MacDonald who stepped through a handful of Canadian defenders as well as medics trying to get off the field.
MacDonald, who also plays scrumhalf, showed her passing skills with a long pass to link with her right wing partner Dow. The No 14 had the pace to outrun the rest of the Canada defence to score a defining try.
The spirit breaking score gave the Red Roses a crucial lead in the semi-final which ended up being the difference between the two sides.
"That was end-to-end rugby, it came from the forwards to the backs," Dow told World Rugby after receiving the award.
"I think everybody did the job to the best of their ability and it was incredible."
Chile's Rodrigo Fernandez's was awarded the men's try of the year for his effort against USA in their World Cup qualifier.
In horrific conditions, the Chilean flyhalf fielded a bouncing ball deep inside his half after a clearing box kick from the USA.
Fernandez returned the kick the distance after evading no less than six tackle attempts, while a seventh rode his back as he crashed over for the incredible individual effort.
The try helped Chile qualify for next year's Men's Rugby World Cup in France which Fernandez is hoping to be a part of.
"I'm pretty honoured to be here really. I never expected this," Fernandez said after picking up the award.
"We are looking forward to it [next year], as I said it is our dream to go and play in France next year."
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You always get idiots who go overboard. What else is new? I ignore them. Why bother?
Go to commentsJames O'Connor comments are correct. Having been to the trainings at CHCH 's Malvern Park, there trainings have been fast and furious . They have stepped up a gear on previous seasons. James looks sharp. As do all the new guys. Ethan Blackadder is in great nick. I believe he is going to have great 2025. Off the field a good guy. Same goes for guys like Dominic Gardiner, Cullen Grace, George Bower. As has been the case for the last few years, great seeing Ethan and Dominic following in the footsteps of there Dads Todd Blackadder and Angus Gardiner, who were big parts of the first title winning Crusader teams, Todd the captain.
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