Richardis goes the distance with pearler of a kick
RUGBY MATTERS
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HISTORY will probably record that Mikel Oyarzabal's 86th minute winner in the European Cup Final in Berlin was the most important kick by a Spanish man or woman in 2024 but I think there is another contender.
Ahead of their final match at the Junior World Cup in South Africa, Spain had already won many friends and admirers for their ferocious textbook tackling and neve-say-die spirit on their tournament debut. David v Goliath scarcely does it justice. Not only were they pitted against three-time champions France, New Zealand and a distinctly useful Wales team in the pool but they then had to meet Italy, conquerors of Australia, in their first play-off game.
Spain lost that one narrowly so then had to meet Fiji in the 11-12th play-off to avoid last place and relegation. This was huge for Spain. Rugby is just beginning to gain momentum there again after the setback of successive World Cup disqualifications and another year group being exposed to the top flight next year will build up their player resources.
To cut a long story short it was 19-19 after full-time in a wonderful sprawling brawling mud bath of a game. The Spaniards in their excitement and confusion had completely blown it in the last 90 seconds, twice turning down very kickable short range penalties to win the game and secure their status. Twice they opted for touch and twice Fiji resisted their driving maul.
Deep into the second half of sudden death extra time and Spain are awarded a penalty 70 yards out. Full-back Lucien Richardis, their star man throughout the tournament, stepped forward, wiped the heavy muddy ball and took careful aim before drilling an absolute pearler of a left footer into the far distant corner.
Eat your heart out Henry Slade! In the old days it would have been a lineout just a metre from the line, now it was a lineout five and from that launching pad replacement prop David Gellego powered over for the match winning try.
Richardis is a major talent, a go-to player in the Toulouse Espoir team that won the French national title last month, and has a big future. But he will never pull off a better or more important touch finder.
