The Breakdown Awards: Best Rugby Matches, Players and Quotes of 2024
The year 2024 has seen a string of exceptional performances on the rugby field, thrilling matches and unforgettable moments. With this in mind, the Breakdown Awards celebrate the season’s most memorable moments, the players who transcended expectations and the quotes that resonated across the world of rugby. This article showcases the best matches , players and quotes from this year, highlighting the performances and moments that resonated with rugby fans around the world.
The Best Rugby Matches of 2024
The 2024 season offered spectacular matches, full of suspense, strategy and decisive moments. Among the many clashes, some stood out for their intensity, emotion and quality of play.
1. The Rugby World Cup Final: A Historic Final
The 2024 World Cup final between South Africa and New Zealand will be a memorable one. The match was a match worthy of the greatest occasions, with both teams determined to add a star to their list of achievements. South Africa triumphed after a narrow victory, decided in the dying minutes, confirming their status as a giant of world rugby. The match was a thriller, with constant changes of pace and spectacular tries.
2. The France-England test match: A clash of intensity
The France-England match at the Stade de France was another highlight of the 2024 season. The two teams fought a fierce battle, with impenetrable defences and lightning attacks. The intensity of this match showed the evolution of modern rugby, with quick transitions and innovative strategies. In the end, France won the match by a narrow score, but it was the quality of the confrontation that made this match a true classic of international rugby.
3. The British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand
The British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand was also a highlight of the year. The Lions put in a brave and tactically sound performance against the All Blacks, who had to fight until the end to maintain their unbeaten record on home soil. The first two Tests were extremely close and although the All Blacks won the series, the standard of play and commitment of the Lions was widely praised.
The Best Rugby Players of 2024
Many individual performances marked the year 2024, and several players stood out for their talent, leadership and ability to shine at key moments.
1. Bongi Mbonambi (South Africa): The essential leader
Hooker Bongi Mbonambi , South Africa's captain, was one of the best players of the year. His presence on the pitch, his impact on the scrum phases and his defensive work were essential in the conquest of the 2024 World Cup title. Mbonambi was not only a technical leader, but also a real driving force for his team, guiding his teammates with determination.
2. Antoine Dupont (France): The genius of the game
French Antoine Dupont continues to reign on the rugby pitch with exceptional performances. In 2024, he was at the heart of the Blues ' game , orchestrating attacks with extraordinary precision and vision. His role as a scrum-half was decisive, particularly in the victory against England, where he was the architect of the movements that turned the match around. His influence on the game makes him one of the best players on the planet rugby.
3. Ardie Savea (New Zealand): The all-black colossus
All Blacks flanker Ardie Savea has been one of the most talked about players of 2024. His energy, ball-winning ability and attacking play have ensured New Zealand remain a feared team at the highest level. Savea has been a key player on the Lions tour, and his ability to single-handedly swing a game has made him one of the most influential players of the season.
Unforgettable Quotes of 2024
The quotes that mark the year 2024 in rugby come not only from players, but also from coaches, commentators and fans of the sport. These phrases have captured the essence of rugby: team spirit, sacrifice and love of the game.
**1. "Rugby is not a sport, it's a family." - Jacques Brunel
This quote from Jacques Brunel , the former coach of the French national team, resonated strongly in 2024. He highlighted the collective aspect of rugby, where each player is not only a teammate, but also a member of a large family. This vision of rugby as a sport where solidarity takes precedence over individuality has been a common thread for the French team this year.
**2. “Great players are not measured by winning, but by how they bounce back from defeat.” - Steve Hansen
Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen once again delivered a powerful quote this year. After the World Cup final defeat to South Africa, he said that the essence of rugby is resilience and the ability to bounce back. This philosophy has shaped the mentality of his players throughout the season.
**3. "We all play for the jersey, for the honor, for rugby." - Duane Vermeulen
South Africa captain Duane Vermeulen expressed the importance of playing not just for yourself, but for the nation, history and honour of rugby. This quote sums up the spirit of the Springboks team in 2024, where every player will sacrifice for the glory of the team, no matter the odds.
Conclusion: 2024, an exceptional year for rugby
2024 has been a memorable year for world rugby. Between intense matches, exceptional players and inspiring quotes, it will remain etched in the annals of the sport. With constantly evolving teams and emerging talents, rugby continues to captivate millions of fans around the world. The Breakdown Awards remind us that, beyond victories and defeats, rugby is above all a story of values, solidarity and passion.
