The Perfect Year Online Quiz | Rugby Union

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Ireland kicked off their RBS Six Nations campaign at home in Croke Park against France. Tension was high and Ireland opened the score with a penalty, but which player scored the first try?

Answer: Imanol Harinordoquy

France were the first international rugby team to play at Croke Park. Croke Park is the official headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association. Prior to 2007, there was a rule that only Gaelic games could be played in the stadium, however this rule was repealed, allowing both international rugby and football matches to be hosted there.
Lansdowne Road is the official home ground for Irish rugby. Construction on a new stadium began there in 2007 and the newly named Aviva Stadium will open there in April 2010.

2. In the Stadio Flaminio in Rome, Ireland met Italy. Italy had been under heavy criticism after a crushing defeat the previous week. Ireland were the favourites to win but knew it would be a tough, physical match. How many yellow cards were handed out during this match?

Answer: Three

When a player is given a yellow card in rugby union, they are 'sin-binned', which means that they are suspended from play for ten minutes. Andrea Masi and Salvatore Perugini for Italy received one each and Ronan O'Gara received the other.
Italy joined the Six Nations (previously the Five Nations) in 2000, and won their opening match against Scotland. In nine years, they have not managed to beat Ireland, although there have been some closely fought battles.

3. Ireland met England at Croke Park. England were defeated by the narrowest of margins. The final score was 14-13, but which Irish player was named 'Man of the Match' after scoring both a try and a drop goal?

Answer: Brian O'Driscoll

This try was Brian O'Driscoll's third try of the championship, and he was later voted as the RBS Player of the Championship for the third time in four years. The first international match between Ireland and England took place in 1875 at Lansdowne Road. Lansdowne Road is the oldest rugby ground in the world.

4. Murrayfield was the setting and during this game Ronan O'Gara broke a record for the most points scored in the championship. Whose record did he break?

Answer: Jonny Wilkinson

The record set by Jonny Wilkinson stood at 479 points. In this match O'Gara converted a try, kicked four penalties and also a drop goal to rack up a total of seventeen points. Chris Paterson has kicked for Scotland, Stephen Jones for Wales and Felipe Contepomi for Argentina.

5. In a nail-biting final in the Millennium Stadium, Ireland won the match, securing the championship. What was the final score?

Answer: Wales 15 - 17 Ireland

Brian O'Driscoll and Tommy Bowe both scored a try each for Ireland, with Ronan O'Gara converting both and then scoring a drop goal to seal the win for Ireland. All of the points for Wales came from Stephen Jones.

6. Ireland won the 2009 RBS Six Nations in a Grand Slam. How long had it been since Ireland last won the Grand Slam?

Answer: 61 Years

Ireland had last won a Grand Slam in 1948. The side was captained by Dr. Karl Mullen, and featured Jack Kyle who, in 2008, was voted Ireland's greatest ever rugby player. The final match in that 1948 season was also against Wales, and was won by only three points.
Dr. Karl Mullen was also the first sporting hero this author ever met, he went on to become a gynecologist and delivered me safe and sound.

7. Which trophy did Ireland not win in the 2009 RBS Six Nations?

Answer: Calcutta Cup

The Calcutta Cup is contested between England and Scotland only. The Millennium Trophy is awarded to the victor of the match between Ireland and England. The Centenary Quaich is awarded to either Scotland or Ireland.
Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales are all eligible for the Triple Crown, however, it is only awarded when one of these teams beats all the other three.

8. Ireland faced Australia in their opening match of the Autumn International Series. The match was closely fought, but which side won?

Answer: Neither, they drew 20 -20

Draws in rugby are quite rare and this was achieved in the very last minute of the match, with Brian O'Driscoll scoring a try and Ronan O'Gara converting that try. This was O'Driscoll's 100th test match for Ireland.

9. Ireland faced Fiji in their next test match, where they won comfortably. This was the first time a senior rugby international was played at which Irish venue?

Answer: RDS

Ireland beat Fiji 41-6. Jonathan Sexton scored 16 points and had a 100% success rate with his kicking. The RDS is located in Dublin and is used for a variety of sporting fixtures and other events. The other grounds listed are all home to provincial rugby teams from Ireland.

The Sportsground is where Connacht play their games. Thomond Park is the home of Munster, and Donnybrook Stadium is where Leinster play.

10. Ireland's final match of 2009 was against the World Cup holders, South Africa. Who scored all Ireland's points?

Answer: Jonathan Sexton

Jonathan Sexton was picked at out-half over the more experienced Ronan O'Gara, following his outstanding performance against Fiji. Although only his second senior international, he scored all of Ireland's points, leading them to victory.
This match capped off the perfect year for Irish international rugby as the team went unbeaten for the entire year.

Source: Author EmmaF2008

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

The Perfect Year Trivia Quiz

2009 was an excellent year for Irish rugby. This quiz looks at a few of the highlights for the international team.

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