BARBARIANS 1973

The world's most famous invitational team was responsible for the greatest-ever try...

- by Joe Robinson

IT'S QUITE something that in the 203-year history of rugby, what is considered to be the greatest try ever scored happened 53 years ago, writes Joe Robinson. You would think that with the modern advancements of professionalism, we would have seen something so mind-bendingly brilliant from a Cheslin Kolbe or Louis Bielle-Biarrey that it would have claimed the title. And while they have scored incredible tries, they pale into insignifance compared to January 1973, the Barbarians v New Zealand in Cardiff and that try from Sir Gareth Edwards.

Father time means that fewer and fewer of us will have been around to witness the brilliance of this iconic moment live. But we remain grateful that it is immortalised on film, with the high tones of Cliff Morgan's Rhondda Valley accent showing his astonishment at Phil Bennett's wicked right-foot steps.

The great Edwards once said that while “it was very much a team try, special mention must go to Phil Bennett, who managed to beat or commute a third of the New Zealand team in a few seconds of magic”.