We were 18 & my best friend & I had talked our way into the seated lower stand with standing only tickets ! We sat on the steps between the tiers and witnessed this monumental kick! The ball seemed to stay in the air for an age ! Looking at the footage I'm surprised how quick it went over! Very few if any could have or will do this kick under the pressure of a test match but in the park maybe ! Well done Paul you made me proud to be Welsh that day !
Remember watching the match on BBC. Bill McClaren's commentary was always brilliant & never biased when the Scots played as shown in that piece. His delight when the ball crept over the bar is undeniable, despite it meaning the Scots lost
The wonderful authoritative but genuine tones of Bill McLaren, THE rugby commentator of all time. I had the great honour of meeting him once in cardiff for a few minutes and he was a warm character indeed. Sadly missed indeed. RIP Bill, from probably any rugby union fan anywere.
what makes this special for me is the fact that Bill McClaren was commentating and even he was amazed even after all he'd seen he was still amazed. RIP Bill this record might get broken but when it does it wont be commentated on like that.
Considering that Thorburn was kicking using an old style 'heavier' ball, with old boots this kick is remarkable. For all the 50m kicks Francois or Morne Steyn can do at altitude with computer designed aerodynamically improved balls, there is no way that any contemporary player could kick this, particularly as it's out wide. Just incredible.
I once met paul at my infant school and had my picture done with him and he signed a picture i made,I didnt really know who he was back then when i was like 6 or something now of course he's a legend and still holds the record for the longest kick in rugby history. :)
Unbelievable belt from paul. As an american football fan, it would be interesting seeing him pull of long kicks like that. but as a rugby fan, im glad he stuck to this sport because he was such a talent.
I captained Paul in an Old Boys game a couple of years back, needless to say I wasn't worried handing him the ball for a penalty! He can still slot them in from all over the place.
and wat makes this cick eaven better is that it was the type of ball they were using back in those days , it was like twicw to 3 times as heavy as the balls they use tday absolutly amazing cick
I was standing on the East terrace for this game (behind the kicker and on the opposite side of the pitch). Everyone in the crowd laaughed when he elected to go for the kick. The place went bananas when it went over.
I've seen Andy Goode get them from his own 10m line, but they were much nearer the centre of the pitch. I love his no nonsense giant run up and hoof, much better than the controlled few steps most kickers have nowadays :D
A True Gentleman A True Legend The only reason i found this clip was bcoz the BBC ran a tribute to him on the news and this was the best clip of them all
The team awarded the penalty has the choice of taking the kick where the offence (late tackle on player who kicked the ball) took place, or where the ball landed fron the kick - the latter option was chosen by Wales.
60 on the 10 metre line, plus the angle 4 metres, plus its 1metre behind the 10 metre line = 65metres, if he did that in this era he could be kicking from his own 22 if not more, WELSH LEGEND
If this was with a current ball in perfect conditions at altitude in South Africa, no team would be safe giving away a penalty on Wales' own goal-line!
It's hard for younger viewers to appreciate just how heavy and damn difficult those old brown leather balls were to kick, they also got water logged.....and no tee! Great stuff.
Who the hell is sad enough to watch this amazing footage and then run to the 1978 edition of the GBoR to prove the video poster wrong by quoting said book on the comments? Oh........ How very very sad....
Anyone saying that ANY kicker in the modern era has kicked farther is a child, or wasn't even born when this kick was accomlished. Back then it was MITRE rugby balls. If you don't know what that means, well, ignorant. Those were heavier, and way harder to kick than the Gilberts used nowadays. Longest, most incredible kick ever, but I must say I'd like to know if there was wind behind him.
im not sure he even used sand. before the camera pans to the posts you can see him digging his heel into the ground to put the ball in. given the angle and distance, this must be the best place kick ever from rugby union, rugby league or american football.
Interesting to compare with Seb Janikowski's NFL record field goal last night. Neither kick got more than 10 metres off the ground - they just both leathered it!
Bill Mclaren what tones what authority. I shared an elevator in Jurys Hotel Dublin with him . I just said Hello, would love to have really chatted. Oh and went to a friends for dinner, who was sat next to me - Yes Paul Thorburn , another gentleman.
Incredible kick with great commentators. The Scottish announcer gave a description that was dramatic and well timed. Does anyone know the announcers name?
"Thorburn then, woof! What a belt he's given it... that is amazing!!!"
R.I.P Bill Mclaren
Incredible and nostalgic, the kick and commentary
We were 18 & my best friend & I had talked our way into the seated lower stand with standing only tickets ! We sat on the steps between the tiers and witnessed this monumental kick! The ball seemed to stay in the air for an age ! Looking at the footage I'm surprised how quick it went over! Very few if any could have or will do this kick under the pressure of a test match but in the park maybe ! Well done Paul you made me proud to be Welsh that day !
Remember watching the match on BBC. Bill McClaren's commentary was always brilliant & never biased when the Scots played as shown in that piece. His delight when the ball crept over the bar is undeniable, despite it meaning the Scots lost
The wonderful authoritative but genuine tones of Bill McLaren, THE rugby commentator of all time. I had the great honour of meeting him once in cardiff for a few minutes and he was a warm character indeed. Sadly missed indeed. RIP Bill, from probably any rugby union fan anywere.
what makes this special for me is the fact that Bill McClaren was commentating and even he was amazed even after all he'd seen he was still amazed. RIP Bill this record might get broken but when it does it wont be commentated on like that.
One of my earliest rugby memories
this was the first international I ever went to ... sad with my dad , it's one of my abiding childhood memories - great to see it again !
HOLY CRAP!!!! that was stunning!!! totally. i agree with the last poster! this guy should get more credit! STUNNING!
Electrifying kick - off the ground, no tee, doesn't muck around, paces back and into it. Awesome.
awesome, Paul Thorburn went to my old school. recieved an award off him at prize/ speech day, top gent!
If Bill McLaren says it's amazing, it is amazing. Fact.
Imagine how bloody far he could kick if he were in his prime today... with modern balls and training... jeez!
not sure the modern ball would travel as far, the old leather balls had a bit more weight
Was a great game and one hell of a kick, one I will never forget, my 13th birthday present from my dad ticket for the match.
Considering that Thorburn was kicking using an old style 'heavier' ball, with old boots this kick is remarkable. For all the 50m kicks Francois or Morne Steyn can do at altitude with computer designed aerodynamically improved balls, there is no way that any contemporary player could kick this, particularly as it's out wide. Just incredible.
I once met paul at my infant school and had my picture done with him and he signed a picture i made,I didnt really know who he was back then when i was like 6 or something now of course he's a legend and still holds the record for the longest kick in rugby history. :)
Unbelievable belt from paul. As an american football fan, it would be interesting seeing him pull of long kicks like that. but as a rugby fan, im glad he stuck to this sport because he was such a talent.
I captained Paul in an Old Boys game a couple of years back, needless to say I wasn't worried handing him the ball for a penalty! He can still slot them in from all over the place.
I've watched this dozens of times, and keep thinking that it wont make it.
legend in the making
How can someone dislike this kick, must be football fans.
thanks you for posting this
He used to regularly put monster kicks in for neath week in week out. His kicks would sound like a cannon going off, fantastic full back.
Thanks for this; much appreciated.
and wat makes this cick eaven better is that it was the type of ball they were using back in those days , it was like twicw to 3 times as heavy as the balls they use tday absolutly amazing cick
I was standing on the East terrace for this game (behind the kicker and on the opposite side of the pitch). Everyone in the crowd laaughed when he elected to go for the kick. The place went bananas when it went over.
I've seen Andy Goode get them from his own 10m line, but they were much nearer the centre of the pitch.
I love his no nonsense giant run up and hoof, much better than the controlled few steps most kickers have nowadays :D
A True Gentleman
A True Legend
The only reason i found this clip was bcoz the BBC ran a tribute to him on the news and this was the best clip of them all
Incredible kick it was a real monster. dan carter also hit one from 61metres in pretoria tri nations 2006 even though it was at altitude
That is a HUGE kick, back on the wet grounds before the roof was closed to save the field.
Didnt wait around too long either, straight back BANG!
Haha he's a legend, every time i'm in Fulton house in Swansea uni i see his pic and it makes me think of this kick, 'THAT IS AMAZING!!!!'
What really nice guy" Paul thorburn"
Remember talking to him in the knoll after that win,,,, great guy!!!!!
Or more like the THORBURNATOR!!!!! lol
The team awarded the penalty has the choice of taking the kick where the offence (late tackle on player who kicked the ball) took place, or where the ball landed fron the kick - the latter option was chosen by Wales.
SADLY MISSED
Rest
In
Peace
confindence and a ridiculously strong breeze
60 on the 10 metre line, plus the angle 4 metres, plus its 1metre behind the 10 metre line = 65metres, if he did that in this era he could be kicking from his own 22 if not more, WELSH LEGEND
My sentiments exactly!
If this was with a current ball in perfect conditions at altitude in South Africa, no team would be safe giving away a penalty on Wales' own goal-line!
It's hard for younger viewers to appreciate just how heavy and damn difficult those old brown leather balls were to kick, they also got water logged.....and no tee!
Great stuff.
A real Welsh Dragon, fucking awesome.
Notice.. no kicking tee. He kicks it off the turf.
he was just standing there in another world thinking: it'll never go-OW!
ha that guy went to my school, gave a speech at our speech day last year :P
you fool, that was pure skill!!!
Loving that just as he kicks it (at 0:48) commentator just says "woooof"
Steyns 66m kick was against Leinster in Dublin. So it was at sea level.
The confidence he must have had to put his hand up to kick that.
I WAS THERE
RESPECT!
No tee in those days either. He kicked that out of hole in the ground. Remarkable.
That was huge.
that was amazing
MAN! That was some kick in damp conditions with the old balls. They didnt fly as well as new designs
Who the hell is sad enough to watch this amazing footage and then run to the 1978 edition of the GBoR to prove the video poster wrong by quoting said book on the comments?
Oh........
How very very sad....
He says "Thorburn then, what a belt he's given it"
"You won't beleive this"
The ball crosses the bar with room to spare
this man was a genius!!
HOLY SHIT!
THAT IS FUCKING UNBELIAVABLE.
Go Wales!
wow that is impressive
Could have used Thorburn in Melbourne today - Come on the LIONS!
thats massive!!
awesome
Anyone saying that ANY kicker in the modern era has kicked farther is a child, or wasn't even born when this kick was accomlished. Back then it was MITRE rugby balls. If you don't know what that means, well, ignorant. Those were heavier, and way harder to kick than the Gilberts used nowadays. Longest, most incredible kick ever, but I must say I'd like to know if there was wind behind him.
He lamped that like a good 'un. Right through it!!
@Flynnsox check out 1:09
a bit more than10m off the ground.
well said mate. rip
Amazing. Must have been 65 metres. Biggest kick I have ever seen!
"Thorburn then, Woof! ...."
Some onths ago Sinisa Mihaijlovic,soccer player,managed to kick a rugbyBall as far as 70m,but without precision
Balls prior to 2000, seemed heavier, and kicking tees were not in use then. How much further could he have kicked it today.
OMG
That's amazing
@mizofan thats true the balls back then were like school gym medicine balls, amazing kick
Did anyone see the ball hit the guys nuts at the end ?
I miss Bill McLaren.
A monster smack!
@grandslam1998 thats some range!
jack being his nephew who posted earlier*
Hell of a welly that is!
wow
im not sure he even used sand. before the camera pans to the posts you can see him digging his heel into the ground to put the ball in.
given the angle and distance, this must be the best place kick ever from rugby union, rugby league or american football.
the fire of the dragon was breathing that day. Also that was a rugby ball not a american football which is a lot lighter
Хорошо реализовал удар
longest international kick
Only in the team for his goal kicking. Was an average full back at best
You obviously didn't watch him play much. Ridiculous statement!!
@@ginge7945 why is it? Please explain????
Not a sports fan, but that was pretty impressive.
deff the biggest kick ever....
1. the ball was really heavy back then
2. the welsh 10 yard
3. no kicking T
crazy boot
I take nothing away from what was a fantastic kick but sometimes it can be easier to kick a 'heavier' ball further as it has more potential energy.
It’s maybe easier to kick further with them, but not more accurately. Also it’s on the ground with no tee
With a modern ball, in the dry, from straight ahead, at altitude and with a slight tail wind, he could almost have kicked it from his own line.
Wow! Just how many raw nerves did I touch?!
Interesting to compare with Seb Janikowski's NFL record field goal last night. Neither kick got more than 10 metres off the ground - they just both leathered it!
Imagine Paul Thorburn in the high veldt
Woof!
Bill Mclaren what tones what authority. I shared an elevator in Jurys Hotel Dublin with him . I just said Hello, would love to have really chatted.
Oh and went to a friends for dinner, who was sat next to me - Yes Paul Thorburn , another gentleman.
i was there
Incredible kick with great commentators. The Scottish announcer gave a description that was dramatic and well timed. Does anyone know the announcers name?
Bill McLaren
64 meters to be exact it traveled 3 meters past the post
@sunkah That's not tidy talk Butty But it's O so true!
I like the commentator's slang.
and he hit a guy in the nuts, classic