Charlie Elliott: The best offloads in rugby history

By Charlie Elliott

Offloads are often some of the most dangerous things that a team can use.

Being able to play a pass while being under pressure from a defender creates plenty of space for the attacking team if done correctly. 

It is also a feature of the game that can provide some of the best pieces of skill, as sometimes players need to get creative to get the ball away in time and keep play going. 

Kalaveti Ravouvou did just that for Bristol Bears against Leicester Tigers, and his moment of quality in the buildup to Gabriel Ibitoye’s try won’t be forgotten for a long time. 

Here are some of the best offloads in rugby history, for various reasons. 

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Kalaveti Ravouvou 

The main reason behind this list, Ravouvou delivered one of the most outrageous assists of the season for Bristol Bears against Leicester Tigers. 

He was tackled and went to ground before catching everyone by surprise and throwing the ball behind his back to assist Gabriel Ibitoye on the wing. 

Not only was it behind the back, but it was also a no-look pass as his eyes were firmly facing forward. 

Harlem Globetrotters-esque, the move was brilliant to watch and was typical of the free-flowing Pat Lam attack that the Bears have played with this season. 

Telusa Veainu 

Tonga may have been well beaten 45-16 by Argentina in this 2015 World Cup pool stage match, but Veainu came up with a moment of brilliance. 

When he was in his prime, he was genuinely unplayable. 

The winger stepped two defenders out wide, before being tackled seemingly into touch right on the try line, but he had other ideas. 

Veainu just about managed to play a scooped pass into Soane Tonga’uiha, who was left with an easy finish. 

Having the presence of mind to play that pass while falling into touch was what made this so good, as he was only inches away from ceding possession back to Los Pumas. 

Winston Stanley 

Canada scored one of the all-time greatest tries in World Cup history against Romania in 1995, when they went from back to front with some of the best quick ball ever seen. 

David Lougheed passed behind his back while running at full speed to properly start the attack. 

Christian Stewart played it infield to Stanley, who quickly passed it back out wide to Al Charron while facing a tackle of his own. 

The offload itself was not the best, but the try as a whole was some of the best passing play that included a few great moments. 

For his pass being the assist, Stanley’s name is the one that gets mentioned. 

Brad Weber 

The All Blacks dispatched Namibia 71-9 at the 2019 World Cup, a result that would have been expected by most. 

But what may not have been expected was the absolute brilliance that Brad Weber showed for TJ Perenara’s try. 

A lovely move all round, Weber played a no-look, round the back pass to send the try scorer free out wide. 

Perenara still had a lot to do and deserves huge credit for finishing it off so close to touch, but it was really all about the assist. 

Shane Geraghty 

The Barbarians are usually the side known for their flashy rugby, but Shane Geraghty taught them a lesson with his between-the-legs try assist for Josh Beaumont. 

He made do with a slightly low pass, catching it and instantly throwing it wide through his legs while falling down. 

Truly a great move, and it marked Beaumont’s first try for England, although it wasn’t a Test match. 

Sonny Bill Williams 

The free-flowing nature of rugby sevens often leads to some unreal tries being scored and some of the most enjoyable moves to watch taking place. 

Sonny Bill Williams took three South African defenders out of the game and played a beautiful pass while being tackled, that sent Joe Webber through to score the winner in the 2016 Wellington Sevens pool match. 

Possibly the king of offloads, Williams had plenty to choose from. 

It came right at the end of the game and saw the All Blacks Sevens get a huge win and top the pool over the Springboks Sevens. 

The two met in the final, and Webber scored a late winner yet again.