The 10-cap international produced a moment of magic after returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines
McNicholl produced a ‘superhuman’ effort to stretch his side’s lead(Image: Super Rugby Pacific)
Former Wales international Johnny McNicholl produced a moment of magic as he scored a remarkable try for his Crusaders side against Western Force in Super Rugby Pacific.
The 35-year-old is back plying his trade in his native New Zealand after leaving Welsh rugby behind in March 2024 following eight years with the Scarlets. Having moved to Parc y Scarlets from the Crusaders in 2016, the Christchurch-born back scored 57 tries in 130 appearances for the region and played a key role in their march to the 2017 PRO12 title.
McNicholl – who also won 10 caps for Wales – was making only his second appearance of the season for the Crusaders against the Force, having endured a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a serious hamstring injury.
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But having overcome that setback, he pulled a magic moment out of nowhere as he put his side 19-0 ahead after 22 minutes at HBF Park on Saturday.
As the Crusaders launched another attack, wing Macca Springer raced away down the left flank, before knocking a speculative kick ahead for McNicholl to chase.
The ball bounced forward into the in-goal area, with full-back McNicholl beating Force scrum-half Henry Robertson in a foot race to get to it first.
Under pressure from Robertson, McNicholl leapt forward and got a hand to the ball, but it seemed impossible that he would have been able to get the ball down while also staying in touch.
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However, the Welshman immediately started celebrating with his team-mates, clearly confident that he had done enough to pull off a remarkable score and leaving it to the TMO to decide whether the try would stand.
“He got it down,” came the immediate verdict of the Stan Sport commentary team, who added: “McNicholl celebrates, wow, if he’s scored this…. it’s going to be a photo finish.”
Replays confirmed that the Crusaders man had managed to keep his left hand out of touch by the finest of margins, but questions were asked of TMO Brett Cronan as to whether McNicholl had got enough on the ball.
“He’s controlling that, that’s downward pressure – his hand is on the ball,” the commentators added. “This will be a shame if they don’t award it, because that is superhuman.”
After a tense wait, Cronan gave his verdict to referee Rueben Keane, telling him: “First things first, he’s in the field of play, and the second thing is his fingers remain on top of the ball and he’s pressed the ball in the in-goal, so you can award the try.”
While the decision was celebrated by McNicholl and his team-mates, however, the stunning try was ultimately in vain as his side fell apart against an invigorated Force in the second half.
Despite finding themselves 7-19 down at the break, the hosts launched a stunning comeback in the second 40 minutes, sealing a remarkable 31-6 win over the defending champions to keep their dream of a first Super Rugby finals appearance alive.
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