The year in review - rugby

By Cameron Storey
December 22, 2008 THE past year saw another bumper season of rugby. Here, foxsports.com.au brings you, in chronological order, 10 key stories of 2008.



ELVs introduced to Super 14
The code was struggling for crowds, column inches and lacking beautiful, bountiful tries. But in 2008, after the brainstorming of some of rugby’s most powerful minds, Experimental Law Variations were introduced to Super 14 rugby. The laws were created to make outcomes of games dependent on the players and the coaches rather than referees. It seemed to work. There were less penalties and more tries and the experiment was almost universally lauded a success.
Photos: Check out our Year In Review gallery Huxley’s brain tumour

The Australian rugby public was shocked when Wallaby Julian Huxley was diagnosed with a brain tumour. A senior member of the Brumbies outfit, Huxley began convulsing on the ground against the Reds in round one of the Super 14 season. He was carried from the field and tests discovered a tumour that had probably been present for years. Huxley’s career has been cut short by the tumour but he has been appointed kicking coach at the brumbies for 2009.

Wales win Six Nations crown More than 74,000 screaming, singing Welshmen watched Wales defeat France 29-12 in Cardiff and in doing so claim the Six Nations crown. Wales were undefeated through the tournament securing their second Grand Slam in four years. It was also a remarkable game for freakish winger Shayne Williams. His game breaking try in the second half saw his tally for Wales reach 41, the most by any countryman. He also finished as the tournaments leading try-scorer with six.
Photos: Check out our Year In Review gallery Crusaders win Super 14 again

Who can beat the Crusaders? Seemingly no-one. The club’s absolute domination of Super Rugby continued this year when they won their seventh crown, beating NSW Waratahs 20-12 at AMI Stadium in the final. It was a fitting way to send off long-serving coach Robbie Deans after nine years at the helm which included four Super titles. For the Tahs it was their second unsuccessful Super grand final.

Robbie Deans's first match against All Blacks

New Zealand rugby fans were outraged when Robbie Deans was passed over for the All Blacks coaching job. Australia fans rubbed their hands with glee when he packed his bags, headed across the ditch and became the first foreigner to ever coach the Wallabies. All Kiwi fears were realised when Deans led the Wallabies to a thrilling 34-19 win over the All Blacks in their first clash of 2008 at ANZ Stadium. The game was a triumph for Deans and the Wallabies and although they did not finish the season as well that match will long be remembered.

League converts

Arguably the two biggest names in rugby league, Sonny Bill Williams and Mark Gasnier shocked the code by switching to union. Sonny Bill’s departure from the Dogs mid-season under the cloak of darkness without informing his teammates created an uproar. Gasnier’s departure to French powerhouse Stade Francais was far less controversial but still sent shivers through league heavyweights who fear more star players will leave for the richer grounds of France. Photos: Check out our Year In Review gallery Hong Kong Bledisloe clash

Rugby made an historic Asian incursion when the season’s fourth Bledisloe Cup clash was held in Hong Kong. It was the first time a Bledisloe game had ever been held outside New Zealand or Australia. A sellout crowd of 40,000 people packed Hong Kong Stadium to cheer on the great rugby rivalry. Sadly for Australia, on the end of a 7-1 penalty count, they were beaten 19-14, losing the Cup series 3-1.

All Blacks face down Munster haka

So used to terrifying opponents pre-game with their intimidating haka, the All Blacks received a shocking dose of their own medicine against Munster. As the All Blacks prepared for their haka the Munster’s Kiwi contingent, led by former New Zealand Maori captain Rua Tipoki and Doug Howlett, jumped out of the Munster line and performed their own war dance. The game itself nearly saw Munster achieve another famous victory reminiscent of their win over New Zealand in 1978 but in the end the Kiwis won 18-16.

England’s record loss to South Africa

Twickenham is a fortress. It booms with rousing chants of Jerusalem and has been the graveyard of many fancied rugby teams. But on this day England were humiliated by their fiercest rivals, South Africa. England went into the game wanting revenge for the 2007 World Cup final which South Africa won 15-6. Instead they suffered their worst ever defeat at Twickenham.

All Blacks Grand Slam

The All Blacks thrashed England 32-6 at Twickenham to snare the rare European tour Grand Slam. The All Blacks swept all before them this year in Europe beating England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland. And amazingly they did it without conceding a single five-pointer throughout the entire tour. Their winning margin at Twickenham was also a new record for New Zealand at the hallowed ground.

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