10 rugby league drop goals Nadine Dorries may have missed since 2003

Drew Darbyshire 30 Jun 2022 7:43 PM

Since Nadine Dorries mistaken Jonny Wilkinson’s heroics in the Rugby Union World Cup for rugby league, we’ve listed 10 actual rugby league drop goals she may have missed since 2003!

The Culture Secretary stunned a rugby league audience at a Rugby League World Cup event in St Helens on Thursday morning when she got the league and union codes confused.

She said her favourite rugby league memory was when Jonny Wilkinson kicked the match-winning drop goal for England in the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup final.

“I’ve always quite liked the idea of rugby league,” Nadine Dorries said. “My long-standing memory is that 2003 drop goal.

“I’ll let you into a secret. I think we were drinking Bloody Mary’s at the time. It was 11 o’clock in the morning but wow what a moment that was.”

So for a bit of light-hearted fun, we’ve decided to pick out 10 actual rugby league drop goals since Wilkinson slotted that one over for England RU in 2003…

10. Ben Roberts – Castleford 25-24 St Helens (2015)

Roberts scored in the final seconds to secure a pulsating 25-24 win for Castleford against Saints at the Jungle in 2015.

9. Pat Richards – Bradford 30-31 Wigan (2007)

Ireland international Richards was well-known for his incredible kicking ability. He finished an incredible Wigan comeback at Bradford in 2007, with the Warriors finishing 31-30 winners.

8. Matty Smith – St Helens 25-24 Salford (2017)

The Saints had been down by three converted tries in the latter stages of the game before they pulled it back, with Smith cooly slotting over the drop goal.

7. James Maloney – St Helens 30-31 Catalans (2021)

Maloney added the one-pointer in golden point extra-time for Catalans at Magic Weekend 2021. It sealed the Dragons’ first League Leaders’ Shield win!

6. Pat Richards – St Helens 22-16 Wigan (2013)

Another drop goal from Richards, and this will be one of the best drop goals you’ll ever see. He was actually on the losing side that night, too.

5. Lee Briers – Leeds 17-18 Warrington (2006)

Wales legend Lee Briers landed his club’s first-ever play-off win with a 40-mete drop goal at the death in 2006.

4. Luke Gale – Castleford 23-22 St Helens (2017)

Gale proved to be the hero as Castleford earned their first place in a Super League Grand Final thanks to a 23-22 win at the Jungle.

3. Jacob Miller – Wakefield 25-24 Catalans (2016)

Another spectacular drop goal at Magic Weekend. Australian half-back Jacob Miller slotted a long-ranger to snatch a 25-24 win against a strong Catalans outfit.