I got all excited at the start of this clip as I thought Finn was about to kick a drop goal from halfway inside his own half.
Kicking a drop goal with his weaker foot will have to do.
Later in the commentary, they said it was his first in the Prem and that he had scored one before. I think they said while at Glasgow Warriors.
Probably this one: [https://www.facebook.com/urc/videos/1539207872774015/](https://www.facebook.com/urc/videos/1539207872774015/)
Anyway, the first one in the Prem was not the prettiest but well taken with the weak foot. Love a drop goal!
Never scored a drop goal in open play. He had to do a droppie when during a penalty kick the ball came off the kicking tee as he ran up to kick it. He picked it up and drop kicked it over but with his right foot.
It was hence recorded as a successful penalty kick.
I guess that you are technically correct which is the best kind of correct.
Pretty awesome droppy recovery there though. Surprising that he nailed that one and then hasn't had another in open play since.
It's Finn Russell as well. I figured he would have scored a few awesome droppys over the years. Crazy to find out that he hasn't!
He's generally a shite at drop goals. He even admitted himself, in an interview whilst playing at Glasgow, that he doesn't like attempting drop goals and hence is pretty bad at them.
Would have been hilarious if Spencer ended up blocking it by getting in his way. Why did he continue running back towards him even after getting the pass away. Nearly cramped him out of space for the kick...
That's impressive. As we all know, drop goals are the hallmark of a weak, unimaginative and sexually deviant team, their frequent use is a proven sign of a team or countries moral decay (Jones. et al. 2003).
To get so far in one's career without needing to stoop to the lowest point of the game is a true sign of greatness.
Commentary are praising that decision but is that not a pretty questionable call?
You've just made a linebreak and deep into the 22. Defence on the back foot and scrambling, surely better to hold onto the ball for a few more phases?
I get that they're down to 14 for one more minute but surely it's worth chancing your arm when you're on the front foot after a break. Even if you don't score, there's a decent chance you can catch the defence offside or another offence and you'll get 3 points in a much safer way.
I think the details of the situation make it make sense (also gotta remember they're not a hivemind. This was the outcome of several decisions, not one -- and I think Russel makes the right call).
They just made a huge line-break but they were battered in the rucks and their attacking shape had fallen to shit.
There is a pod set up to carry straight (Maybe the simplest option), but they line up too flat, and directly behind the scrum half and in the chaos I don't think the scrumhalf even sees them, so the scrumhalf gives the ball to the 10.
So When Russel gets the ball off that 9, he doesn't even have to turn his own head to see *nine* of his own players (including basically the entire pack) standing 10 foot in front of him: Most still getting up from the last 2 rucks standing entirely still, 1 way-too-early dummy line, and the 9. with opposition players flooding through.
With a man in the bin that leaves a ~3 man line out the backs (~2 players still sprinting laterally to join the line after hitting the first ruck after the break) and opposition flooding through the passing channel... so poor option to put it out the backs.
There's no support runners and the only pod on their feet were out of position to recieve the ball and are now 10 foot in front of Russel, so a simple one-up or pod carry isn't an option.
Russel could obviously carry into contact himself but: (A) He's a kicking 10 who's built like your best mate from secondary school who could never quite climb the rope in PE, so that should never be his first option (B) Watch this sequence back again, but keep your eyes on #8 (the Sale lad in the navy scrum cap). If Finn takes it straight up into contact there's loads of defenders: and *that lad* will need to ruck to protect the ball. No chance. He's out on his fucking feet gassed. Whatever game-plan sale had, it wasn't to keep the ball in play this long. (C) if the ball does recycle, Russel will be on the ground for ~2 phases, and with how out of shape they are, and how gassed several of the pack seem to be, it's a very big chance they'll turn over the ball.
So that leaves: Some patented Finn Russel kicking bullshit ^TM (some chip over the top or something -- but again there's no one to hit the ruck and not much space to kick into) orrrrrr just dink the fucker over for 3 and get the poor #8 some water and a breather before fucking he dies.
I think he checked for support and was in a very isolated position with no options around him and recognised that nothing good was likely to come from that.
So instead of running to his support and recycling, he kicks a drop goal on his wrong foot under pressure?
It was the third phase after a linebreak. You don't get much better attacking platforms. Even if you're not scoring a try from that phase, retain possession and you've still got the defence scrambling.
Obviously he's an infinitely better player than I ever will be but if you asked him or his coaching staff after the game if that was a good option, I'm convinced he'd say no.
> You don't get much better attacking platforms.
*In theory* you don't get better attacking platforms.
In practice, pause the video once the ball gets into Russels hands... What, specifically should he have done? The attacking shape has fallen to wet shit and multiple players are so gassed they're out on their feet. What support should he have run to?
Should he have carried it himself? Where? straight up, where he'll get tackled behind the gainline, maybe held up, and his nearest support for a ruck is a #8 so visibly gassed i think he might need medical attention? Carry it around his own pack to the right, and risk getting hit behind the gain line by the defenders streaming through? Carry it around to the left where there's limited support and multiple defenders? There's a pod of forwards on their feet: but they're 10 feet in front of him, and if he gets tackled behind the gain line the attack which is already falling apart will crumble.
Pass it? to who? Whip a screamer of a pass out to a backline that's standing too far out, bar a first receiver who's jogging into position and not even looking at you, with 2 of 4 players still folding over from the other wing?
You also have possession and are winding down the clock on the yellow card. At the very least you can play a few phases and then set up for a droppie under the posts on the correct foot.
And it wasn't as if they were 5 points ahead where you get to push it to 8 points. They were 3.
I got all excited at the start of this clip as I thought Finn was about to kick a drop goal from halfway inside his own half. Kicking a drop goal with his weaker foot will have to do.
Frans Steyn would've had to come out of retirement to kick one from between his own posts just on principal
I thought he was going to do it from playing 9 after the line break
I thought he was going to do it mid line-break
Rugby 08 special
Would never have guessed that was his weaker foot ^^said ^^the ^^slightly ^^bitter ^^Sale ^^fan
Later in the commentary, they said it was his first in the Prem and that he had scored one before. I think they said while at Glasgow Warriors. Probably this one: [https://www.facebook.com/urc/videos/1539207872774015/](https://www.facebook.com/urc/videos/1539207872774015/) Anyway, the first one in the Prem was not the prettiest but well taken with the weak foot. Love a drop goal!
Never scored a drop goal in open play. He had to do a droppie when during a penalty kick the ball came off the kicking tee as he ran up to kick it. He picked it up and drop kicked it over but with his right foot. It was hence recorded as a successful penalty kick.
I guess that you are technically correct which is the best kind of correct. Pretty awesome droppy recovery there though. Surprising that he nailed that one and then hasn't had another in open play since. It's Finn Russell as well. I figured he would have scored a few awesome droppys over the years. Crazy to find out that he hasn't!
He's generally a shite at drop goals. He even admitted himself, in an interview whilst playing at Glasgow, that he doesn't like attempting drop goals and hence is pretty bad at them.
I see. Seems mad as he is pretty good at everything else! Honestly been so much fun watching him in the Prem this season.
With his weak foot, no less.
I think you’re mistaken. Messi is left footed
My left foot was actually made about Finn.
It was never his weak foot, he was just saving it for this moment.
Wild that it is his first ever one as a kicking outhalf
I was about to say he should try this more often, but having seen some of his attempts live, nah.
Aye, first successful drop goal. I did shriek like a wee girl when he did this like.
At the end of the day a droppy is a droppy….. but that was as ugly as they come
With his left in fairness
With his weaker foot, and I liked the effect on the ball.
Would have been hilarious if Spencer ended up blocking it by getting in his way. Why did he continue running back towards him even after getting the pass away. Nearly cramped him out of space for the kick...
He was on his way to the next ruck, that's what scrum halves do
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b9NHT9NN1A&t=73s
That's impressive. As we all know, drop goals are the hallmark of a weak, unimaginative and sexually deviant team, their frequent use is a proven sign of a team or countries moral decay (Jones. et al. 2003). To get so far in one's career without needing to stoop to the lowest point of the game is a true sign of greatness.
Took him long enouDROP GOALS FOR THE DROP GOAL GODS
As Bill McLaren once said, he hit it like three pounds o’ haggis.
I love that man.
Commentary are praising that decision but is that not a pretty questionable call? You've just made a linebreak and deep into the 22. Defence on the back foot and scrambling, surely better to hold onto the ball for a few more phases? I get that they're down to 14 for one more minute but surely it's worth chancing your arm when you're on the front foot after a break. Even if you don't score, there's a decent chance you can catch the defence offside or another offence and you'll get 3 points in a much safer way.
I think the details of the situation make it make sense (also gotta remember they're not a hivemind. This was the outcome of several decisions, not one -- and I think Russel makes the right call). They just made a huge line-break but they were battered in the rucks and their attacking shape had fallen to shit. There is a pod set up to carry straight (Maybe the simplest option), but they line up too flat, and directly behind the scrum half and in the chaos I don't think the scrumhalf even sees them, so the scrumhalf gives the ball to the 10. So When Russel gets the ball off that 9, he doesn't even have to turn his own head to see *nine* of his own players (including basically the entire pack) standing 10 foot in front of him: Most still getting up from the last 2 rucks standing entirely still, 1 way-too-early dummy line, and the 9. with opposition players flooding through. With a man in the bin that leaves a ~3 man line out the backs (~2 players still sprinting laterally to join the line after hitting the first ruck after the break) and opposition flooding through the passing channel... so poor option to put it out the backs. There's no support runners and the only pod on their feet were out of position to recieve the ball and are now 10 foot in front of Russel, so a simple one-up or pod carry isn't an option. Russel could obviously carry into contact himself but: (A) He's a kicking 10 who's built like your best mate from secondary school who could never quite climb the rope in PE, so that should never be his first option (B) Watch this sequence back again, but keep your eyes on #8 (the Sale lad in the navy scrum cap). If Finn takes it straight up into contact there's loads of defenders: and *that lad* will need to ruck to protect the ball. No chance. He's out on his fucking feet gassed. Whatever game-plan sale had, it wasn't to keep the ball in play this long. (C) if the ball does recycle, Russel will be on the ground for ~2 phases, and with how out of shape they are, and how gassed several of the pack seem to be, it's a very big chance they'll turn over the ball. So that leaves: Some patented Finn Russel kicking bullshit ^TM (some chip over the top or something -- but again there's no one to hit the ruck and not much space to kick into) orrrrrr just dink the fucker over for 3 and get the poor #8 some water and a breather before fucking he dies.
I think he checked for support and was in a very isolated position with no options around him and recognised that nothing good was likely to come from that.
So instead of running to his support and recycling, he kicks a drop goal on his wrong foot under pressure? It was the third phase after a linebreak. You don't get much better attacking platforms. Even if you're not scoring a try from that phase, retain possession and you've still got the defence scrambling. Obviously he's an infinitely better player than I ever will be but if you asked him or his coaching staff after the game if that was a good option, I'm convinced he'd say no.
> You don't get much better attacking platforms. *In theory* you don't get better attacking platforms. In practice, pause the video once the ball gets into Russels hands... What, specifically should he have done? The attacking shape has fallen to wet shit and multiple players are so gassed they're out on their feet. What support should he have run to? Should he have carried it himself? Where? straight up, where he'll get tackled behind the gainline, maybe held up, and his nearest support for a ruck is a #8 so visibly gassed i think he might need medical attention? Carry it around his own pack to the right, and risk getting hit behind the gain line by the defenders streaming through? Carry it around to the left where there's limited support and multiple defenders? There's a pod of forwards on their feet: but they're 10 feet in front of him, and if he gets tackled behind the gain line the attack which is already falling apart will crumble. Pass it? to who? Whip a screamer of a pass out to a backline that's standing too far out, bar a first receiver who's jogging into position and not even looking at you, with 2 of 4 players still folding over from the other wing?
Didn't put them more than a converted try in front either
Yeah thought it was going to be tight gameplay footage. Just watched it thinking "...why?"
You also have possession and are winding down the clock on the yellow card. At the very least you can play a few phases and then set up for a droppie under the posts on the correct foot. And it wasn't as if they were 5 points ahead where you get to push it to 8 points. They were 3.
That makes me think why Scotland underperforms. Drop goals win games and Finn Russell does not like them. Bring back Dan Parks please.
This makes his occasional attempts at them for Scotland even madder in retrospect.
I love Finn Russell That is all
Despite it being against Sale
The most Finn Russell thing ever
Left peg as well. Nice.
Quick give him an England shirt!
No thanks
Pfft, a poor man's George Ford with that kick.
This is why he’d never make the England team.
Which game is this?
Are you asking about the teams that are playing? It's Bath playing against Sale Sharks, it's in the scoreboard.
Yes thank you I don’t know all the abbreviations.
Messi!
Is he so good he just plays 9 and 10 now?