Best of 2007: Jason Robinson

What is the best sports story of 2007?

That’s a depends on which sport you follow. I like to watch most sports, so I have hundreds of stories to choose from.

Peyton Manning’s MVP performance in Super Bowl XLI certainly makes him a contender, as he led his Colts to victory over the Bears.

Lewis Hamilton’s first season in Formula One racing has been sensational, even if he did managed to miss out on the fairytale ending in the last Grand Prix of the season.

But if you want inspirational winners, then go for Joe Calzaghe, the undisputed Super Middleweight World Champion.

Though Calzaghe has been a champion for ten years, bigger thing are on the horizon for this boxer. Maybe after facing Bernard Hopkins his will be the best story of 2008.

So, what is my best sports story of 2007?

Well, it’s one of inspiration, against-the-odds performances and, in the end, bittersweet defeat.

It’s England in the 2007 Rugby World Cup—and in particular, Jason Robinson.

Coming into the competition, England were beset by problems.

Coach Andy Robinson had been sacked after a disappointing period, and many of the players brought in to replace the aging 2003 squad simply were not up to the task.

The media predicted a poor competition for England, with many commentators questioning whether the Champions could even qualify for the knockout stages.

The second group match against South Africa seemed to end England's hopes.

Not only did they get trounced by the Springbok, but they lost Jason Robinson to a hamstring injury that looked to threaten his career.

One of the stars of the 2003 campaign, Robinson had quit club rugby earlier in the year, but had kept himself fit so as to be available for selection.

The sight of one of England's best backs sitting on the sideline, covered in blood and nursing a leg injury, typified the feeling that England were out of the World Cup.

However, England would win their next two games and qualify for the next round—a quarter final against Australia.

On that day, it was a tale of the kickers. Jonny Wilkinson scored four out of seven to give England the win.

But the highlight was the return of Robinson. Though obviously in pain, he had returned to the side and played like he had never been away.

The semifinal was against the host nation, France.

In a game full of passion, England held on by the skin of their teeth to see off one of the tournament favourites and set up a final appearance against South Africa.

While England had surpassed all expectations in just getting to the final, it was one game too far, and in the end the Springbok were crowned Champions.

But in that final game, Robinson showed why he was so important to England.

Explosive running from deep is always an attacking weapon, and one of the greatest sights in rugby. Couple that with ferocious tackling and a high work rate, and you almost have the complete rugby player.

In the end, Robinson was forced off the pitch with a shoulder injury, bringing down the curtain on a glittering career.

Though Jason Robinson has retired, he could still walk into any rugby team in the world—and that’s probably the biggest compliment you could give him.