He was a class act. He was like a gazelle jinking his way through the opposition. He took some massive hits too and shook them off and went again. Some player!!!
20 year old Bryan Williams a sensation in South Africa with All Blacks the previous year scored two great tries in this match. Probably a shame later in 1971 that ball was not passed to him more often during the ABs v Lions test series where his pace and sidestep could have caused problems for the Lions. David Duckham was also sensational in this match and carried that form on the Lions tour,
Yes indeed - I thought of this video as soon as I saw the news. Probably my best memory of him is being at Twickenham for the Barbarians against South Africa in 1969 and watching him score a beautiful try (with the classic sidestep) after Gareth Edwards had fed him on the blind side from a scrum.
This is classic but at the same time a little sad. Because the professional international game will never be as pure as this again. A time when the ordinary man could relate to their Corinthian heroes rather than the modern muscle bound overtrained robotic orcs
same league as dallaglio,redgrave,,they are different,they have something more i feel,Ripley as the others could of excelled in any era,special talents
Probably my first recollection of rugby is Andy Ripley, knees pumping, flying down the field. A player from those days who would slip into a top modern team with ease I reckon.
Ripley and Neary worked well together. Neary was the most capped Englishman at the time and Ripley was shamefully underused by the selectors. 24 caps? Joke. Taken too soon. RIP Andy Ripley.
I learnt at school, never ever showboat or delay once you're over the try line. I thought I was clear, went to do the big demo touchdown and WHUMPH hit from behind by the fullback and spilled the ball.
a bit harsh based on 2 minute of play,the england selectors at the time must have thought he was a good player,just hope non of his family read what you have to say,you never know they may be very proud he played for england.
I rowed with Andy in the summer of 1999 when he was in his 60's and I was 19. He was on the river at 0600 every morning to train, and when I broke a single scull on my first outing he covered half of the cost, as I was an "impoverished student". Out of modesty, he refused to talk about the 74 lions tour, even when I pressed him, and he was nothing short of an inspiration to anyone who had the pleasure of spending time with him. A great, great man, and a role model for anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him.
I seem to recall a similar incident in an old Five Nations game where a couple of French players caught an attacking player, lifted him up so he couldn't ground the ball, then they threw him into touch. Wonderful play.
I remember hearing that he was the fastest man in the England squad over the length of the pitch and that included the majestic David Duckham who was no slouch. In fact, he was probably still accelerating when he ran out of grass...
I played a few games on the wing for Park and thought myself no slouch, until the day that Ripley overtook me on the inside. I also had the opportunity to referee him when my playing days ended, and, knowing what was coming, trained especially hard during the week before - I was still quicker over the first 20m, but the further we ran, the further away Andy got from me. All so long ago, all so sad, and nothing left now but the memories.
@@leplessis8179 That's interesting. Did you ever play against Duckham? I have always wondered how quick he was up against the other speedsters of the day. He was certainly deceptive with that balanced and rather languid long striding style that I think he surprised many opponents with his pace and that outrageous side step was the finishing touch :).
@@MartinJG100 Yes, as they say 'I was there' - but Duckham was a more than interesting player, in that he tended to glide rather than run very fast - or this is my impression, from a long time ago. Duckham rarely reached the wing areas, his natural instinct being to turn inside in a long turning swerve - fast, yes, but like Ripley he needed a little while to reach top speed. I was (and still am) tall and heavy, up to speed very quickly off the mark, but with a lot of bulk to carry for a long run. I still play in France, down in the 'also's' these days at 8, and still nippy enough to surprise a few for ten meres or so, don't think that's too bad. I'm now starting to lose a little weight as the muscle drops off and am down to 110 kilos now, but hey! I'm 75 next month - but with a skull cap on and gumshield in, no-one knows who or what I am until after the game! Happy days,
@@leplessis8179 Very interesting to hear your observations on Duckham, hence my question about whether he had the gas of the speedsters. I always saw him as a play maker rather than an outright finisher which is perhaps why he played at outside centre on a few occasions. Either way, a skilful man. Glad to hear you are still pounding the turf. A whisker short of 75 at any level is outstanding. Good for you, sir :)
