After last week's Worst Tackles of 2014, we present the best tackles of 2014, featuring some of the biggest, well timed and mind-blowing tackles from the last 12 months.
13. Nick Cummins
The Honey Badger has to make this list. This tackle is great in itself. Crusaders winger Johnny McNicholl seemingly has an easy run in for a try to wrap up a facile victory for the New Zealand side over Perth-based Western Force. Cummins, though, doesn't know the meaning of the words "give up", pins his ears back and manages to drag McNicholl into touch before he can touch the ball down. Meat pie is denied.
12. Sebastien Chabal
He's long since retired, but in his final season in the Pro D2 for Lyon, the French caveman was still smashing people back, which leads to this try for former Springbok Rickie Januarie.
11. James Downey
From the school of Peter Stringer's extraordinary tap tackling, comes James Downey's effort for Munster against Gloucester in the Heineken Cup pool stages.
10. John Folau
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDsn-sQA6LQ
You may know the name "Folau" better for Australian rugby union star Israel, but his younger brother John has some talents too. What a hit son, what a hit.
9. Samu Manoa
He may look more at home as a model in a Jack Wills catalogue, but Gloucester centre Billy "36" Twelvetrees gets absolutely monstered by this American tank.
7. John Wesley Tauti
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9btWmPxfTLs#t=11
Ooooh. This is a superb tackle in the U20 NRL tournament; the Holden Cup. Canterbury Bulldog’s Kyle Krisanski-Kennedy gets absolutely mangled by Vodafone Warriors’ John Wesley Tauti.
6. Antoine Burban
Perpignan centre Watisoni Votu gets taken down like a plane out of the sky with this missile like tackle from Stade Francais' Antoine Burban.
5. Mike Brown
There's something special about last ditch tackles that prevent scores. Especially when it seems easier for the attacker to register a score. This majestic tackle from Mike Brown defies belief. Saracen's Duncan Taylor looks certain to score before Brown's intervention.
4. Cathal Barrett
Daylight robbery. That's the only way I can explain how Cathal Barrett managed to rob this ball. Tipperary went on to win handsomely over Cork, and in no short thanks to Barrett.
3. Paul O'Connell
Boom. The uplifting tackle that lead Ireland to victory over Australia. Outstanding.
2. Craig Burden
Craig Burden absolutely smashes his fellow hooker Schalk Brits in the Heineken Cup final. He manages to wrap his arms around making it a beautifully legal hit, and given the trajectory of Brits, as well as the magnitude of the game, it's a brilliant tackle.
1. Malakai Fekitoa
2014 was the breakdown year for one Malakai Fekitoa who showcased a habit of scoring spectacular tries for the Highlanders and then for the All Blacks. This tackle though, announced that he wasn't just a beast going forward, he could also make hits in defense, and punish what is the most blatant hospital pass in the history of the term. Watch out for how far Fekitoa comes from to make the tackle on fellow All Black Conrad Smith, and if he'd missed, the Hurricanes had at least two players free out wide, including human wrecking ball Julian Savea.
