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Video - Northampton winger Tuala skins London Irish cover for last-gasp bonus-point try

(Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)

Play-off chasing Northampton looked like they would have to settle for a Gallagher Premiership win minus a bonus point versus London Irish at The Stoop on Saturday until some late acrobatics from winger Ahsee Tuala.

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There were less than 20 seconds on the 80 minutes remaining when the ball emerged from the back of a Saints scrum with the score 22-3 in their favour.

Northampton’s pack had come out in the second half to dominate proceedings following a forgettable first-half that had ended in a 3-3 stalemate following a single successful penalty kick from each side.      

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Beaten last weekend in their 2019/20 season restart game by Wasps, Northampton knew they needed to up their efforts and a try from Tom Collins – along with two penalty tries – put them firmly in control. However, they were still short the bonus score with the game in its final minute and heading for its closing play. 

Securing possession from the set-piece, it took a long pass from James Grayson to put the London Irish defence in trouble but it still required an exquisite finish from the agile Tuala to grab the all-important end-game score. 

Latching onto the ball outside the 22, he beat one defender on his outside before tip-toeing down the sideline, fobbing off another defender and then producing an exhilarating dive at the corner with eleven seconds of the regulation 80 remaining. 

The wonderful finish left former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio, who was on punditry duty for broadcasters BT Sport, singing the winger’s praises.

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“Wow, what a score that was… wonderful finish from Tuala. Northampton Saints will be delighted with the set-piece move, lovely pass, there is so much to do there. That’s a strong double fend, a lovely little roll and a score with the right hand.”

The 27-3 win lifted Saints to sixth in the table, a point off of Sale who occupy the last of the play-off spots.

 

 

 

 

   

  

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Head high tackle 19 minutes ago
How can Scott Robertson revive the All Blacks’ playmaking ‘triple threat’?

Nick I think a lot of teams 10,12 and 13 combo's suffer considerably when compared to the Carter, Nonu, Smith era. I cant think of any other world combo that comes close to that combo. 3 once in a generation players all doing their thing collectively. Carter is possibably the best ever player and Nonu and Smith are world class in any generation. Im old enough to remember the runner/playmaker 12s of yesteryear and rugby was much simpler then. The defensive systems of today are so studied and practiced that the space is no longer there in the midfield.

Under Foster the backs never quite looked as fluid as the Carter, Nonu, Smith trio and thats mainly due to Mounga, Jordie B and Reiko just not being close in standard to the other 3. Your recent article around the ABs 70%, shows clearly that Mounga is no Carter and that the 12 and 13 players who have replaced Nonu and Smith just arnt Nonu and Smith.

There is hope for Razor to develop that area next year and beyond but Razor has been more conservative at centre than any other area. So far Razor has avoided change but I think it will come. Both current centres are makeshift centres who grabbed the positions due to injury and have kept them.

Spot on around WJ and his skillset tho. He certainly has a few skill deficiencies compared to many 15s and I would be very happy for him to stay at 14, but also happy if he develops his kicking and playmaking from 15 as he brings something no one else does. He is very good at passing or offloading for his support tho.

JB is still playing 15 basically. We need someone to play 12. Not just play AT 12.

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