'It's a claim to fame, and people still talk about it' - Crane 10 years on from that bizarre penalty shoot-out
Jordan Crane has joked that he is retiring from kicking with a 100 per cent record 10 years after he kicked the winning penalty in Leicester’s European Cup semi-final shoot-out win over Cardiff at the Millennium Stadium.
The teams had played out a 26-all classic under the sun in Wales in front of 44,000, but the drama was nowhere near over as referee Alain Rolland indicated that a penalty shoot-out - the first of its kind in professional rugby - would be required to determine who would go forward and contest the final against Leinster in Edinburgh.
The format required players from either side having to take a place kick at goal on the 22-metre line in front of the posts. It was easy for the respective specialist kickers, Ben Blair, Nicky Robinson, Leigh Halfpenny and Ceri Sweeney slotting kicks for the Blues after Julien Dupuy, Sam Vesty, Geordan Murphy and Scott Hamilton led the way for Leicester.
Then the drama went into overdrive, Johne Murphy’s missed kick for Tigers presenting Tom James the opportunity to win the shoot-out for Cardiff. He missed and the kicking continued with non-specialist kickers now on the tee.
Aaron Mauger and Craig Newby scored for Leiceter with Tom Shanklin and Richie Rees replying for Cardiff before the eighth round proved decisive as Martyn Williams’ miss for the Blues allowed Crane his moment of glory and a place in rugby folklore.
WATCH: The full shoot-out from Cardiff 10 years ago
"It's a claim to fame, and people still talk about it,” said Crane to the BBC Scrum V Podcast. "It's a big part of my rugby career, but it's not up there as one of my lasting highlights.
"It was nothing about my rugby ability or Martyn Williams' ability. He had an unbelievable career and he won't be defined by that,” continued the now Bristol forward who has gone nowhere near a kicking tee during a match since. ”No, not in a game. I’m retiring from kicking with a 100 per cent record!”
Williams’ 10th anniversary memories are sketchier. "I've watched it back a few times and laughed about it. It was so surreal at the time, I don't really have a good memory.
"I backed myself. I'd kicked for Pontypridd youth. Believe it or not, I was okay at kicking. I can categorically say it wasn't nerves. Everybody says it was nerves, but I didn't have time to think about it. It happened so quickly, I didn't grasp the enormity of the situation."
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I have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
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