Neil Back: What Martin Johnson Did Just Before The 2003 Rugby World Cup Final | RugbyPass

[@jonnigerlach417]

As a Welshman nothing but respect for Neil Back and the England 2003 squad. Went in to RWC and dealt with the expectation that cripples so many teams.

[@jonnigerlach417]

@lee turton why is that so strange. The Welsh 'rugby' fans you have had the experience of l have no doubt been the casual fans who do not or have never played the game and only turn up to games to get pissed.

[@jonnigerlach417]

I speak as I find there's knob heads all over the world. Here's to RWC 2019 I strongly fancy a northern hemisphere side to win.

[@СлаваРоссия-у7ж]

@@jonnigerlach417 England are looking real good and ofc Wales have had a fantastic 2019. Don't really know which Ireland is gonna show up😞 That being said, I still see the trophy staying in the Southern Hemisphere.

[@keithorbell8946]

Joni Gerlach as an Englishman I would say the best team lost that quarter final. But that shows the quality of that England team.

[@jamesgreen9611]

Neil Back and Lewis Moody it was like they felt no pain - they were on another level of hardness I have so much respect for what they did for England.

[@finngarrin-dias]

Until Tuilagi gave Moody a good pasting

[@rogerpancake6803]

One of the greatest English players ever. ...a true legend

[@3vimages471]

Martin Johnson one of the greatest leaders of men I have ever seen.

[@williamgoldsmith3796]

No class and no manners, he proved that by being very rude and ignorant to the Irish head of state.

[@51panhead51]

@@williamgoldsmith3796 Asan Australia i think he had good reason to be that way.being asked an autograph when he is i game mindset is not a good idea n or to be stuffed around when on the pitch

[@davidbuddbudd804]

Neil Back was a hero of the game, idolised him from a young age. Tough, fit and fearless

[@lonestar6709]

What a player this guy was. England vs New Zealand 2003, The Lions went down to 13 men, and the All Blacks still couldn't score! Like hitting a brick wall, running at Neil Back. Hard as nails, and twice as smart.

[@AIJimmybad]

When England went down to 13 men Back was in the sin bin...with Dallaglio...it was Richard Hill that was left on. Also England aren't the Lions.

[@thomasgreaves564]

I remember that other Great Leicester back row forward Dean Richards, saying that he couldn't understand why Neil Back was not in the England squad, long before he was picked. Back is a true legend. I never saw a tougher man on the pitch. Hard as nails and a great rugby mind. I loved watching him in a driving maul. When the try was scored it was almost always Back, having tunnelled his way through. Unstoppable. Brilliant.

[@stephenreeds3672]

He wasn't big enough,apparently!!

[@waynewanderer]

@@stephenreeds3672 And neither is Sam Simmonds now!!................apperently

[@markkuman4673]

You earned that victory Sir. Well deserved. Much love and respect to you and your team mates. Regards from Papua New Guinea!

[@willk1756]

Apparently Back use to smash every record during the fitness tests amongst the England squad. No one in the squad could match his work-rate. Met the guy once as a guest speaker and he let me wear his RWC medal. Still looks like he's carved out of granite.

[@markmottershead646]

Look how damn fit he is even now

[@strickostricko]

@@markmottershead646 fruity. 🍑🍆

[@donnybrasco9330]

I heard he got a 14 on the bleep test straight after playing 80 mins of an international match

[@steadytube]

so back when Neil Back joined the England squad there were people saying he was too small. well i can tell you he isnt. he put in some legendary tackles and was probably one of the best support players on the pitch on any given day. fucking legend. all of them.

[@deanmullen1882]

That Austin Healy story was brutal

[@simoncoldrick8508]

The full (or real), story of this is even more brutal on Healy

[@martinbirmingham4450]

Yes about as funny as the Martin Johnson turning and looking at the team and having a dementia moment.

[@jaynedavis3655]

As his book said , Size doesn't matter, The great Neil Back , British Lions 🦁, England and Leicester, World Champion

[@yoe91]

that Martin Johnson turning around and looking at the players story was quite deep.

[@marynorth7988]

I NEVER tire reliving this game ... There were was not one an outstanding player....they ALL were..! Yes Mr Wilkinson did it for us BUT the team work was impeccable. Bloody AWESOME.

[@jimmac8404]

I had the absolute privilege of playing under these 2 guys when I was a young lad at Leicester. I can 100% confirm when Johnno gave you that "look" you felt like you could run through hell and come out the other side because he said you could.

[@robertroberts2666]

Good interview that deserves respect from all rugby fans regardless.

[@copferthat]

Teams were glad to see the Back of Neil

[@jacobyoungoxfordcarpangler3832]

God I’m pumped now 👍 come on England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@lungabiyela9081]

How about now?

[@bokkebalf]

🏆🇿🇦😂

[@moobusman5617]

@@bokkebalf can’t wait till NZ punches you in face and destroy you in the quarter finals and maybe semis. England’s semis like Fiji so easy.

[@samain11]

"It" is one of those undefinable, but real things, that soldiers feel as well. After 45 years I still remember clearly, a 19 year old mate being literally sick with fear but then wiping his mouth and going with the rest of us. He was braver than me I think because he had a better grasp of what was going on....I was just gung ho.

[@secondchance4498]

You could say it's just a few blokes throwing a ball around a field................but it's so much more! Lets make some more memories England!

[@fawleyrfc5177]

Where would you rather be on a wet Tuesday evening in February but on the training field with your mates?

[@peterlast2478]

Who ever said he was "too small" eat your words.

[@bigjob7551]

Jack Rowell.

[@chijuscai3366]

This is one tough hombre, NEIL BACK

[@scarlerika]

If he wasn`t playing rugby for England,he`d be in the SAS

[@thesaint8400]

Half of that squad look and talk like SAS/paras. Dallaglio in particular.

[@steviedj6730]

No difference in mind set. Complete focus.

[@Johnny-cf3jp]

No he's too small

[@spencerellis2052]

Superbly funny at the end Neil back is a legend

[@-NemoMeImpuneLacessit]

Watched this bloke week in week out at Welford Road just being brilliant, but him being told he was too small by the then England coach just made him train harder, play better, until he was just the best.

[@glynnparker2050]

Philosophically tenacious, mentally tenacious and physically tenacious

[@johnnypickles5256]

He was the peoples choice at 7, and eventually they gave in

[@paulhoulden]

I'm an Arsenal season ticket holder, footballer and always hated rugby. This rugby world cup has changed me (always supported England regardless) but now I'm enjoying watching your game, and I'm buzzing for the final. Weve got this.

[@conish64]

As an Irish fella, even I have to accept that this lad is a legend. Of Course Im not from Munster.....I suspect it'l still be a few years before Backy will be allowed in Limerick

[@Suftum19]

5:32 right foot!

[@Kkpb-fh5vt]

And “Heathrow Stadium”

[@kennybonett874]

Neil back England legend 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏉🏆

[@bolivianbillionaire1349]

liked him on the paddock, ..and he's a funny bugger too ...good interview ..

[@kevinbaxter7390]

Omg i so so ready Backy i Reckon I could ditch these Crutches and play off your incredible inspiration! You was ignored for years because as I recall (too small) easy 100 caps Neil. 👏

[@nicknewey6152]

How can 12 people give this a thumbs down. I don't even like rugby, but when grown men don their nation's colours and fight for each other like the lions they are heroes in my eyes and always will be!!!

[@Boom4BlastRuin]

Something I’ll never understand is why as a country we are so football crazy... our rugby team is world class whereas our football team is tier 2 at best. Last football World Cup 1966, last rugby 2003, runners up 2007, atleast runners up 2019, our rugby lads are amazing

[@TheGadfly85]

Runners up in 1991 also?

[@Boom4BlastRuin]

@@TheGadfly85 true, before my time though haha

[@davidbrittain3212]

This comment sounds comical now - reversal in fortunes. Rugby team are pants, football team are far better now.

[@twinpotracer]

​@@davidbrittain3212it's actually because the ratio of intelligence to brick thick is low for the average Englishman. Look at football fans, they all eat their young or crayons and can't count beyond 1

[@MrPooley1]

The most Cov sounding bloke ever

[@flan350]

I loved it when he trolled James Haskell on twitter over the selfie stick but not the backhander against Munster

[@aramanon]

The original classic. Scored tries, tackled, jackled, played like a monster back row and a snippy 9 at the same time.

[@eastlondontillidie]

Goosebumps 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@dannylange843]

You should see andre watson talk about that game. He knows they were offside and he then says that he saw the ball come to wilkos right foot and said to him self please go in or i have to give a penalty ..

[@johng1634]

I remember the Austin Healey thing, he was covering the world cup for ITV, flew to Oz, flew back, and straight back on ITV . Said he'd caught up on all the latest movies.

[@kurthubbard-beale5003]

Excellent stuff. Felt sure itvwas going to happen again with Eddie Jones in 2019 World Cup but alas - it wasn't to be. I'm a Leicester Tigers fan and cannot entirely blame Steve Borthwick for taking the England job but he still belongs at Leicester after only one Premiership title. Good luck to him irregardless.

[@AG-so4gl]

I was there at the final, never ever forget it.

[@Mumbles_]

Great show! Loved this 🙌

[@anthonytromp6265]

Brilliant team that was.

[@andywalker9079]

Pound for pound the toughest player I’ve ever seen.

[@teebrinner5939]

Best open side flanker I've ever seen

[@stewartprice553]

@@teebrinner5939 Best Northern Hemisphere openside I've seen. :)

[@teebrinner5939]

@@stewartprice553 That too

[@bremCZ]

Grant Batty

[@marlecmarine5393]

absolutely correct ! along with Richard Hill the finest flankers England has ever produced......

[@thedr00]

That Austin Healey story is golden. I was at Leicester in the mid 90s, he was truly despised.

[@simonwilletts7965]

Really?

[@taffpatch1]

Why ?????

[@seanl1054]

Just found this Video, a little late I know but made me feel alot better after last weekend 😀

[@dadofchampions]

"Kick him in the balls.." "No, kick his ball not his balls" Frikken hillarious

[@vernongoodey5096]

I’m a Bath fan and everytime we played Leicester I’d shout out Neil Back is god! Bath fans would look at me as though I was a madman but no one ever argued with me!

[@willhearn8067]

Great account of the World Cup win, pressure must have been immense....Note, it was Johnnys right foot (wrong foot) that sent the ball over the posts for the win.

[@dexstewart2450]

Mike Catt saved this team and RWC: they were losing the SF until Wilko was off and Cattie was brought on. Jonno was immense in that Final

[@DH1985-MB]

I think you mean the QF against Wales not the SF against France. Catt started at centre with Wilko at 10 against France and only went down for a brief period (try by Betsen early on - Wilko kicked every point that day) In the QF we had a shocker and Wales looked immense with a 10 point (I believe) lead at HT. Dan Luger was subbed off and Catt put at centre with Tindal moving to the wing.

[@edpaterson3529]

Neil Back is undoubtedly England's greatest player and for me is the best player ever to have played the game.

[@rogerpancake6803]

Neil Back and Richard Hill ...the world's best ..Tom Curry is well on the way to filling their large and extremely distinguished boots..

[@dennism5731]

Curry is a decent player but has a long long way to go before he gets anywhere close to Back or Hill ( who in my opinion was the best no6 I've ever seen )

[@jennylast3149]

"Johnno turns looks at everyone of the players said nothing then walked on the field" we knew we were ready, lovely stuff.

[@jackieparker8442]

2003 world cup rugby was amazing, well done to England

[@ArmyofLove]

Yes I always thought it was more Johnson than woodward that lead that England team. I think it was Wilkinsons right foot drop goal too. Which was even more remarkabke

[@brianbrooking496]

Peter Burke I hated Wilkinson..... he scored more penalties than Harry Kane... but you gotta appreciate what a fine squad these guys were.

[@blackbob3358]

say what you "really mean", mr Burke.... i've good idea.

[@ArmyofLove]

Woodward was all about analytics, Johnson about drive, in a messy final and difficult semi against france I will add, it was drive that was evident.

[@garethprice7879]

Brilliant 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👍

[@plunketgreene3646]

Didn't Andre Watson say later he saw Aus were miles offside and was praying for Wilkinson to kick the drop goal so he wouldn't have to award the penalty?

[@Villafarrell]

Great video! Love these inside stories

[@projectDominic]

I knew Backie would be a good bloke

[@teebrinner5939]

World's greatest no7 of all time

[@andyanderson5326]

I don’t like England rugby but I was inspired by the 2003 World Cup champs. From Billy’s to World Cup glory much respect ✊

[@andyanderson5326]

slow hand I wonder why they call you slow hand yeah England rugby are a bunch of twat toffs no body outside England like England rugby lol name one ☝️

[@samiadb8503]

Absolute legend!

[@bobbybellingham2074]

Rugby is the game of kings and legends

[@chrisbryant198]

Gotta get me some of them retirement teeth! Decent bit of content. Good work

[@wildskel6350]

If you look really close on freeze frame you can see "Armitage Shanks Vitreous Enamel" on them.

[@damowales3444]

Neil Back the only english player I can Respect... especially as from the midlands and not southern, but played a major part in rugby even the toffs respected him...

[@damowales3444]

@nicholas carter Jason Robinson came from League, Professional sport and Billy Whizz was is a Wigan Icon, and Northern but yet still not as popular as should be and he's of colour... engerlish mentalitily is a fickle thing.

[@Johnny-cf3jp]

I say, that's a tad harsh dear boy!

[@chickenzalfrezi]

Best little wing forward. Ever.

[@almcdonald8676]

I derive a huge measure of reassurance during this time of pandemic and increasingly rancorous partisan political discourse from these living legends and their tales of camaraderie.

[@malcolm9650]

That was class

[@y1521t21b5]

Absolute Legends! 6:14 Heathrow Stadium ;-)

[@PJ-yh3cc]

Brilliant, utterly fantastic....

[@bigjob7551]

This guys a legend, he made Jack Rowell eat his words.

[@SR2active]

Used to play football with his son for years and know him

[@darrenjones3080]

Congratulations?

[@mahlanguism]

I would love to visit that Heathrow Stadium.

[@svenhassel7536]

Love the corgi story

[@philclennell]

The Holy Trinity - Hill, Back and Dallaglio. What wouldn't we give for their like nowadays?

[@kingharvest1613]

Moodos, Jonno, Backy.......no stereotype rugger buggers here then!

[@petes9524]

And after the 2019 RWC final the English team, looked in each other's eyes and said, " we weren't ready".

[@stevelee4952]

What a player

[@mrsensible3560]

That Louis Moody story is fuckin brilliant 🤣🤣🤣

[@daveyeddie8176]

Was Johnny's drop goal right footed, I think it was.

[@TenjiBenji]

Actually it was off wilkos right foot and there's a replay of him right after jumping up and down , with will greenwood I think, shouting "we won the world cup" so yeah they did celebrate 😄

[@viktoriavasiliev]

Did the Queen really say “you nicompoop, kick his balls, don’t kick him in the balls”?!?

[@vjab1108]

I was at Trafalgar Square cheering you, great time.

[@MountainMan_NZ]

England in 2003 were a great team, no doubt. As a kiwi I was cheering for England over Australia. But now that I'm living in Australia I'll be cheering for All Blacks or Australia in 2019 RWC, and of course Japan!

[@MountainMan_NZ]

@Nick Maclachlan fair play, England outplayed us on the day

[@ktrevellion1995]

Such a funny story great sense of humour

[@Wolfsong27FlyHalfFullHeart]

He bangs it over with his left foot Shows Johnny kicking it with his less preferred right foot

[@bobsquashv2742]

He did kick it with his right.

[@dazzlarnic5732]

Brilliant

[@barneysmyth7775]

Was there what a team brilliant

[@Johnny-cf3jp]

Apparently Peter Stringer was meant to be doing this episode but Back knocked his invitation on the floor?

[@rohp1283]

Is there a similar video about what Owen Ferrell did just before the 2019 rwc final or what Siya Kokisi did?

[@ricky18171]

Was my inspiration as an England junior, had a ridiculous bleep test score of 17 or something stupid like that.

[@daikayll1897]

Probably head down working Neil but it was his RIGHT. Being that dreadful "old school" player , at 10 , we trained with the OTHER foot so as to be ready. So that is , for me as an old 10 ( Welsh) made that decision and execution in that situation , the best drop goals I've seen. Brilliant. A bit haunted as a bloke but brilliant none the less. Too brave too , but thats another story.

[@callumatkinson5946]

Johnny kicked the drop goal with his week foot hit right not his left

[@coventryboy68]

Back is seriously thick

[@locominyana8916]

I'm pretty sure Johnny nailed that kick with his right Neil....🤔🤔.

[@mosreloaded]

Johnny did it with his wrong foot mate..right foot drop.

[@elingrome5853]

legend

[@adamgrimsley2900]

Neil Back was my favourite player. Great guy but a winners mentality... Hence the hand.

[@MR-tb4po]

Imagine if it’s been Wilko that hoofed the corgi. It would still be in the air

[@martinbirmingham4450]

I bet he doesn't get many bookings as an after dinner speaker, but tbf he wasn't a bad player.

[@mr.champagne7712]

*bangs it over with his right foot;-)

[@TheGadfly85]

Roid people in the roid places...😂. Jokes aside one of the greatest teams and probably the greatest RWC final. Huge respect.