Here are Guardian reporter, Paul Ress' highlights of the year.
Six moments of 2007
1) Mark Cueto's 'try' in the World Cup final which was denied by the video referee, Stuart Dickinson. England were perhaps centimetres away from retaining the trophy, yet the referral system had bizarrely sanctioned a touchdown by Jonny Wilkinson against Scotland in the Six Nations and was to reward Clermont Auvergne's Mario Ledesma against Wasps in the Heineken Cup.
Click here to see the try on You Tube
2) Takudzwa Ngwenya's try for the United States against South Africa in the World Cup. It was not just the score itself, ending a move which had started on the USA's line, or the fact that the wing sped past his opposite number Bryan Habana, but it seemed to sum up a tournament in which the emerging nations were, for the first time, more than fodder.
Click here to see the try on You Tube
3) Italy's first away victory in the Six Nations after seven years of trying. Their victory at Murrayfield may have come gift-wrapped, thanks to early interception and charge-down tries, but it was an early indication that 2007 was to be the year when the old order started to crumble.
Click here to see the highlights on You Tube (in Italian)
4) Bristol reaching the Guinness Premiership play-offs. They had been billed pre-season as relegation favourites, not least because of the presence of a number of pensioners in their pack, but a 30-13 victory over Leicester on a boisterous Tuesday night at Ashton Gate was enough to see them through to the play-offs. England were to be written off in the World Cup for the same reason.
Sorry, no highlight for this one.
5) Argentina beating France in the opening game of the World Cup. At the final whistle it was as if the Pumas had won the whole tournament, and it set the tone for a brilliantly unpredictable seven weeks.
Click here for an Argentina tribute video on You Tube
6) The EDF Energy Cup final between Leicester and the Ospreys (41-37). Who says that finals have to be dull, risk-free affairs or that northern-hemisphere rugby is so conservative that it needs the articifial stimulus of law changes?
Click here & here for a couple of highlights (if you're a Shane Williams fan).
Vote for your moment of the year here
Follow up:
Six personalities of 2007
1) Jake White. Winning the World Cup was never going to be enough to keep his job in a country where rugby and politics not only mix but are bedfellows, but he will not be short of offers in the future having shown, like Sir Clive Woodward before him, the virtue of planning.
2) Jason Robinson. The England and Sale wing/full-back retired from the game despite being his country's most impressive performer in the World Cup. His trademark zig-zagging run in his final match for the Barbarians against South Africa this month only served to show what will be missed.
3) Agustin Pichot. Led Argentina to third place in the World Cup with two victories over the hosts. Articulate and dignified throughout, he personified the Pumas' resolution.
4) Alesana Tuilagi. He had a quiet World Cup campaign, but his displays in the second half of last season helped Leicester to the Premiership final. Unstoppable in the final against Gloucester. No brick wall is safe when the Samoan is on the charge.
5) James Hook. Finished the year anti-climactically, but the outside-half had by then given long-suffering Wales supporters reason to hope again. A player all too rare in the modern era who is fuelled by instinct.
6) Moses Raulini. Fiji were involved in the match of the World Cup against Wales and came close to pulling off what would probably have been the biggest upset in the history of the game when they drew level with South Africa in the quarter-final. Raulini not only led by example, but was an eloquent spokesman for a very skilful and humble side.
Vote for your personality of the year here
And finally, six to watch in 2008
1) Mathew Tait. Came of age during the World Cup. Whether he appears in the centre or at full-back, can give England an edge after the loss of Robinson.
2) Akapusi Qera. Fiji may not have many internationals next year, but the Gloucester flanker will be prominent with his club doing well in Europe and the Premiership. A rival to Richie McCaw for the title of best open-side in the world.
3) Tom James. The Cardiff Blues wing made his international debut as a late replacement at Twickenham last August when his rawness showed. The former athlete took up rugby late, but as he adds experience to his pace and strength, he will become irrepressible.
4) Simon Shaw. England are being advised to put their thirtysomething players out to grass in the Six Nations and invest in the future, but Shaw should be a sure thing after an outstanding World Cup. Gets better with age.
5) Berrick Barnes. Emerged during the World Cup, even if he suffered against England. Has the ability to radically change the way Australia play after the Wallabies' formulaic style of recent years. Blessed with boldness.
6) Brian O'Driscoll. Ireland were awful during the World Cup and, after the successes of recent years, they find themselves at a crossroads. Their captain will need to be at his most inspirational if they are to move in the right direction.
Source: Guardian Online
