Rugby World Cup Archive: Classic Matches

RUGBY WORLD CUP ARCHIVE Classic Matches

2003

New Zealand - Wales Played on November, 2nd 2003 in Melbourne, Australia, this pool game between New Zealand and Wales allowed the first place of pool D. This fierce battle of attacking sides finally won by New Zealand saw 12 tries and great moves from both teams. Australia - New Zealand Despite the home advantage, Australia was not expected to overcome the All Blacks' challenge in the first semi-final of the 2003 edition, played in Sydney, Australia on November, 15th 2003. However, as they experienced it on three occasions in Five RWC, New Zealand could not meet the observers expectations and replicate their performance of the previous games of the competition ath the semi-final level. By winning the match, Australia qualified for a record third RWC final. Australia - England The final of the 2003 RWC was played before the 83,000 spectators of the Olympic Stadium of Sydney, Australia, on November, 22nd 2003. In a tight encounter that went to extra-time, the English proved superior to the Wallabies and were crowned World Champion for the first time, thanks to a last minute drop goal of fly-half star Jonny Wilkinson.

1999

Ireland - Argentina Played in Lens, France on October, 20th 1999, this play-off match was to award a quarter final seat to the victorious side. Leading at half-time, Ireland eventually lost the match to the surprising Argentineans. France - New Zealand Having easily cleared the first obstacles of the competition, New Zealand appeared as the favorite of the second semi-final of the 1999 World Cup played in Twickenham on October, 31st. Facing France, the All Blacks started with pace and quickly took a strong lead. However, they could not respond to an outstanding French second half. Three tries and two drop goals from a very skillful French side proved sufficient for the Bleus to reach their second World Cup final France - Australia The final of the 1991 edition, between Australia and France, played on November, 6th 1999 in the Millenium Stadium of Cardiff, Wales was the first RWC final not to feature the host nation. The second RWC played in the British Isles crowned the same side as the first, eight years earlier, with the vicory of the Wallabies on France 35-12.

1995

New Zealand - England The second semi-final of the 1995 RWC, between New Zealand and England, played on June, 18th 1995 in Capetown, South Africa. A match marked by the outstanding performance of Jonah Lomu, who scored four tries to help the All Blacks reach their second final in RWC history. South Africa - France The first semi-final of the 1995 RWC, between host South Africa and France, played in Durban, South Africa on June, 17th 1995. In an incredible downpour, the Springboks finally qualified after a fierce battle that saw France's Benazzi miss a last minute winning try by a few inches. South Africa - New Zealand The third RWC final, played on June, 24th 1995 in Johannesburg, South Africa, saw the opposition of the host nation, South Africa, with the overwhelming favorites of the competition, New Zealand's All Blacks. In a very tense game, the All Blacks could not match their performance of the previous games and were finally defeated thanks to a drop goal of South Africa's fly-half, Joel Stransky.

1991

Ireland - Australia Played in Dublin, Ireland on October, 20th 1991, this quarter final opposing Ireland and Australia offered one of the most tragic scenarios of the RWC history. Supported by an extatic crowd and close to an historic victory , Ireland finally lost by a point difference, thanks to a last minute Australian try. Australia - New Zealand The second semi-final of the 1991 RWC, between New Zealand and Australia played on October, 27th 1991 in Dublin, Ireland. Back in Lansdowne road, one week after their last-minute comeback, Australia demonstrate the magnificent attacking skills of stars Tim Horan and David Campese to qualify for their first RWC final. England - Australia For the second RWC final, the host nation of the competition is again, as were the All Blacks four years earlier, still in contention to lift the trophy. However, England, facing a confident Australian side in Twickenham on November, 2nd, fail in succeeding on their home soil and see Nick Farr-Jones, the captain of the Wallabies, receive the World Cup trophy.

1987

Australia - France The first semi-final of the 1987 RWC, between France and Australia, played on June, 13th 1987 in Sydney, Australia. A memorable match won by France with a last minute try by Serge Blanco. New Zealand - Wales The second semi-final of the 1987 RWC, between New Zealand and Wales played on June, 14th 1987 in Brisbane, Australia. A very strong All Blacks performance on their way to the trophy, with 8 tries. New Zealand - France The final of the 1987 edition, between New Zealand and France, played on June, 20th 1987 in the famous Eden Park of Auckland, New Zealand. The All Blacks outperform France and kiwi scrum-half David Kirk is the first captain to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy.