Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby‘s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful
Iconic Rugby Pictures: PART 82 Paul O’Connell wins lineout against Argentina at RWC October 26, 2003
What’s happening here?
It’s October 26, 2003 and a balmy Sunday evening at one of the world’s great cricket grounds, the Adelaide Oval, where, after much scratching of heads and eventually the removal of a few seats, the authorities were able to shoehorn in a regulation size rugby pitch and stage the eagerly awaited Pool A fixture between Ireland and Argentina. It’s late in the game and a young Paul O’Connell has lept high to collect Keith Woods’ throw at an important lineout while the respective scrum-halves Peter Stringer and Gus Pichot look on.
What’s the story behind the picture?
In essence there are two stories going on here. RWC2003, for my money, remains the best organised World Cup of the lot with the Aussies showing much wit and invention to take the tournament around their huge country, showcase their land and hopefully open up new markets. The Aussies can be a little officious and display terminal jobsworth tendencies despite their larrikin reputation but my God can they organise sports events. They get it.
We trooped off to unlikely but brilliant rugby venues like Launceston in Tasmania, Townsville up in tropical Queensland and Perth, which was only just discovering rugby back then. Most intriguing of all was Adelaide where cricket and Aussie Rules were king. The Oval was the State’s sporting mecca.
This is where Don Bradman averaged 107.77 in 11 innings, where Ricky Pontying amassed 1,743 Test runs, where Michael Clarke helped himself to seven Test centuries and where South Australia skipper David Hooks smashed a 34-ball century against Victoria, generally considered the fastest first class ton ever that didn’t profit from declaration bowling. It’s also where Aussie Rules heroes like Ken Farmer of North Adelaide and Jay Schulz of Port Adelaide did their stuff.
Adelaide’s rugby weekend was an absolute belter, culminating for me with a complete stranger walking in off the street to our hotel reception and handing in my passport which she had just found in the street. There is a God after all.
The locals loved the World Cup vibe and the travelling fans, particularly the Blarney Army who followed Ireland around the country everywhere, swelled the numbers considerably. On the Saturday night we witnessed a record 142-0 Australian win over Nambibia – luckily we had the world’s most famous cricket scoreboard to keep track – but the main event was unquestionably the grudge match between Ireland and the Pumas.
What happened next?
A predictably tense, nervy, spiteful but nonetheless compelling game between two sides that genuinely couldn’t stand each other around this time. The Pumas were fighting for their lives, and if truth be told for an hour or so their pack totally dominated proceedings but they failed to capitalise. Indeed an opportunist try by Ireland flanker Alan Quinlan, during which he dislocated his shoulder, unexpectedly saw Ireland lead 10-9 at half-time but they were on the backfoot.
Keith Wood got Ireland fired up after half-time and a battle royale ensued with Ireland finally enjoying some territory and possession to go into a 16-12 lead before a 74th minute penalty from Gonzalo Quesade set up an excruciating finish. Ireland clung on, just, and did their lap of honour to the accompaniment of the bells pealing over at St Peter’s. They were to face Australia the following week in the sure knowledge that they were through to the quarterfinals whatever. Life was very good.
Why is this picture iconic?
Well in essence it’s rugby’s recreation, on a very special World Cup evening, of an iconic and ageless cricket vista which is possibly why it seems familiar.
The Adelaide Oval, before its massive modern day reconstruction, was often reckoned to be among the most beautiful cricket grounds in the world. Located in the city centre alongside the River Torrens, this tended to be a favourite view for the photographers taking in the famous Edwardian scoreboard on the “Hill” which was built in 1911 and considered well ahead of its time, incorporating a bar underneath, and the St Peter’s Anglican cathedral which emerges from the riverbank trees.
“Rugby’s recreation, on a special World Cup evening, of an iconic cricket vista”
Capturing a relevant cricket image from a Test match that incorporated both was always the money shot and it was natural that rugby’s snappers should try and emulate that. And Hamish Blair has done a good job here. Not only is it a fine, pleasing image but if you peer through the gloaming at the scoreboard you will see that the score is 16-15 to Ireland with Keith Wood’s team trying to close out the torrid encounter.
Footnote. The two World Cup matches were considered a massive success in every respect but some things never change. In sporting terms South Australia and Adelaide is all about cricket and Aussie Rules, nothing else gets a look in. Since this balmy Sunday evening only one other rugby game has been played at the ground –a match between Australia and the South Pacific Islanders a year later. Since its reconstruction it has also become a favourite venue of the biggest pop stars with Adele attracting the biggest ever crowd in 2017 when 70,000 attended her concert.
